Task 3 - Organizational Systems - Running head TASK 3 1...

Running head: TASK 3 1
Task 3
Healthcare Systems Comparison
Ashley Messina
Western Governors University

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A1:
For this paper, the healthcare systems being compared will be The United States and
Great Britain.
A2: United States Healthcare access
In January 2014, the United States Congress approved the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act, requiring US citizens to have health care coverage. If a person is
unemployed, or considered to have low income (as based on the Federal Poverty Level) they are
required by law to still maintain healthcare coverage. These individuals are eligible to do so
through Medicaid; which is a federally funded program for those who are unemployed or have a
low income. Individuals can apply for healthcare plans offered through companies approved by
Medicaid. Persons may apply for these plans through their states Healthcare Marketplace
(Anderson, Osborn, Mossialos, Wenzl, 2014).
Children of employed individuals in the U.S can be covered under their parent’s
healthcare plans until they are 26 years of age, that’s if this is an option through their parent’s
employer. Parents can also apply for Medicaid coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) via their state’s Healthcare Marketplace. This plan is required to cover all
pediatric care, including dental and vison, and is available to families who are considered to have
low income (Anderson, Osborn, Mossialos, Wenzl, 2014).
For American workers who are age 65 and older, they are eligible for Medicare, which is
a federally funded program. Medicare has different parts to it; Part A covers inpatient hospital
visits, skilled nursing facilities, hospice services, and some home health services. Part B is
medical coverage, which covers outpatient care, some physician services, preventive services

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and medical supplies. Part C is the Medicare Advantage Plan, which is similar to an HMO or
PPO plan, which covers most prescription drugs. Per Medicare.gov, an individual must have
Medicare Part A or B to qualify for the Advantage Plan. Lastly, Medicare offers a Part D plan,
which is strictly a prescription drug plan (Medicare.gov, n.d).