Assignment 4: Funding Health Care Service
Strayer University
HSA 500
November, 2013

Introduction The essential business of the health care industry is the delivery of health care services. In the U.S., the health care industry is considered to be the largest service employer. Funding for the U.S. health care services consists of a mix of public and private payment sources. Medicare and Medicaid represent the two major health programs.
Funding for Ambulatory Services

The use of Ambulatory Care Services is common amongst most people. It has become an important element in the delivery of health care. For many, it has been viewed as the primary source of health care; offering an extensive range of services that don’t require overnight hospitalization. The services offered can be as complex as tests to and therapies or as simple as a minor cut. Traditionally in the U.S., ambulatory care services were provided in the offices of medical practitioners and in the homes of the patients. Presently, these services are performed in outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and same day surgery centers. Ambulatory care has expanded within the health care system. This is due to the fact that it is less expensive than inpatient stays and less time consuming for patients. In comparison to inpatient patient procedures, outpatient procedures have been estimated to be 30% to 60% less in costs.

Funding for Ambulatory care services began when the first surgical care center opened in the 1970’s. The centers became certified by Medicaid, making it more attractive to the public which then allowed the ambulatory services to grow. My recommendation for ambulatory care services is that they should be federally funded. My decision is based on the fact that the use of the government is intended to increase health care resource availability. The federal government will inspect all