Controlling Health Care Costs- Case Study
In this descriptive case study, you will work together to explore the rationale for how and why decisions are made about health care treatment within cost containment parameters. Please read the case study and then engage in discussion on the questions that follow.
Case Study Mod 6
Questions for Discussion:
After completing the assigned reading and the video for Module 6, discuss the following questions. The first question is opinion-based, so that you may begin discussions right away. All subsequent questions must include references, including your readings.
1. Lisa had a very strong position regarding Don’s treatment. How would you summarize the argument that Lisa would most likely have made to support his need for this treatment when she approached his insurance company?
2. Based on your understanding of the Oregon Health Plan, compare Don’s situation to the example of Coby Howard, the seven year old who was denied stem cell treatment. If Don had the same diagnosis as Coby Howard and had also died after having been denied stem cell treatment, do you think his story would have led to a movement for changes to the Medicare reimbursement system? As you compare Don’s and Coby’s situations, factor in the issue of denial of life-saving treatment despite treatment of “less effective therapies for less serious conditions.”
3. Arnold Kling, featured in the video on cost containment, discusses the “gray area” of medical treatment, in which treatment might be unnecessary, or extravagant, and consequently subject to cost controls. He discusses the example of President Obama’s grandmother, who received hip surgery while critically ill with cancer. If you were in the position of deciding whether or not Don should receive this treatment, what factors would you weigh as you considered your decision? What other information might you want to have available to help you to make your decision?
4. Consider Don’s treatment path, from his initial diagnosis through his death. Based on this case and your readings, do you feel it is possible for the medical system to provide compassionate care within the guidelines of cost containment? Why or why not?
Module 7: Team A
Our heavy discussion for Module 7 will focus on Michael Moore’s movie, Sicko. As usual, we will conduct this discussion in groups. Each group is asked to approach the discussion beginning with the first question and moving through the list of questions one at a time. Discussion areas have been set up for each group.
1. What is Michael Moore’s agenda?
o What biases does he have and how are they portrayed in the movie?
Despite the bias, does Mr. Moore make any valid points?
o Explain. What does Mr. Moore identify as the major problems with the US health care delivery system?
o Does he identify “villains and victims”?
o Who are they?
What does Mr. Moore identify as the major contributors to the high cost of health care in the US?
o Is he accurate?
o Are there any factors that he did not address?
Are there lessons to be learned from the other countries portrayed in the movie?
o What are they?
In light of the movie, your readings and the work you have done on your final paper, do you think the Obama health plan will make a difference and if so, in what areas?
Finally, think about Michael Moore’s approach to advocating for health care reform?
o Did it work?
o Was he effective in bringing about any change?
o Why or why not?
o From a personal perspective, did he change your perception of health care in the US?
The topic of this discussion may be emotionally charged and controversial. As you respond to one another, please remember to take issue with the content presented and not with the person presenting it. Your discussion postings should always be professional and respectful.
M8D1: Organizational Decision-Making on Costs for Delivering Health Care: Traditional Approaches or Emerging Trends – A Case Study
Module 8
In Module 6, we talked about cost controls from the perspective of Lisa and her father’s experiences with the health care system. In our final discussion, we will again approach health care costs, this time from the organizational perspective. This descriptive case study on Whitfield Regional Hospital provides you an opportunity to explore the tensions between embracing innovative approaches to cost containment versus staying with more traditional approaches. You will formulate a decision on the best approach for the radiology department.
Module 8 Case Study
After reading the case study on Whitfield Regional Hospital, please discuss the following questions. Remember that the first question is opinion-based so that you can begin to engage with your peers right away. The remaining questions are based on the readings. As you respond to one another, think about what was not recommended to Barbara Wright that might represent a viable cutting edge approach.
1. Based on what you have read and what we have learned so far this term, what do you think the central problem posed to Barbara Wright is?
2. Of the three models presented to Barbara, which model would you implement and why? Please provide a strong argument based on your readings, as well as outside credible sources as appropriate, to support your recommendation. Be sure to talk about the advantages and the potential organizational challenges related to your choice.
3. Thinking about the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, new technologies and new approaches, is there another innovative alternative model to reduce costs you would consider for WFH? Please provide details to support your recommendation.
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