Ethical Approaches to Healthcare
Key Insight 3
“Healthcare for most”. This quote is a representation of the level of care the United States currently offers its citizens and is a play on the common phrase “healthcare for all”. Currently in the United States, we haven’t yet adopted a universal healthcare model and there is a consistent ethical debate on whether or not the US should alter their policies to have a more inclusive healthcare system. This debate is one that will affect my future in healthcare as policies are constantly changing and adapting with the needs of the citizens. Understanding the way our healthcare system works as well as the ethical considerations of a third-party reimbursement system is vital to effectively advocate for my future patients within the confines of our current healthcare system.
The universal healthcare debate was one I tackled in SPCH 213: Communicating Moral Issues. This class prompted the use of ethical models to describe and take a stance on an ethical issue in the world through 3 speeches spanning from 5 to 11 minutes each. The first speech was a forensic speech (artifact #1) outlining an unbiased overview of the ethical debate, the second was an invitational speech (artifact #2) that encouraged discussion about the topic, and the third was a policy speech (artifact #3) that proposed a plan to address the ethical issue. I chose to research our current healthcare system and analyze it in contrast to other universal healthcare system structures. After researching the topic and applying ethical models discussed in class, I determined that universal healthcare may not be the best option for the US. However, I discovered that there are definitely reforms necessary to implement in our current system in order to appropriately care for the amount of people who need it in the US. As a provider, it will be important to understand the pitfalls and advantages of our healthcare system, especially in regard to insurance.
I realized just how important the in depth knowledge of our healthcare system really is after beginning my exercise science practicum at the Sigurd Center for Neurological and Orthopedic Rehabilitation. In this clinic, there were both Occupational and Physical Therapists working with patients with varying levels of disability from minor stroke impairments to full limb amputations and major congenital disabilities. Every visit with a patient, the therapist or I would fill out a billing sheet to send to their insurance company in order to get reimbursed for the services. This came with a large learning curve as each insurance company had different policies regarding what could and couldn’t be billed in a session. I reflected on this experience in Journal 2 and 6 that I submitted for the practicum class. These can be seen as artifact #4 and #5 respectively, with the highlighted potions being the most relevant. Being exposed to the third-party reimbursement system is an invaluable experience especially as this is a part of healthcare I will encounter every day. Working in the clinic, there were times we had to turn away patients due to insurance issues and other times we had to advocate for our patients in order for their insurance to approve the necessary treatment sessions.
For instance, the clinic ran into issues with an insurance company who was not reimbursing them at an acceptable rate. This caused issues for many patients as they were at risk of having to go somewhere else for therapy if they didn’t switch insurance companies. From the ethical considerations I researched in SPCH 213, I now realize how upsetting and unethical this issue is. I understand why a smaller business such as the Sigurd Center was forced to make this tough decision, but it is one I don’t believe they should have to make and think there could be improvements in our healthcare system through more heavily regulated insurance companies. We also encountered issues with insurance companies not approving the correct number of therapy sessions for patients, even though it was clear to us that it was required for them to continue their normal activities of daily living. I saw many therapists vehemently advocating for their patients in order to prove to the insurance companies that this was a necessity for them. However, I am able to see this issue from both sides and realize that those insurance companies also need to make money and can’t do that if they over-approve these visits. I am more able to understand the complexity and gravity of situations like these due to my experience in the clinic and the knowledge I gained in the classroom.
The last assignment of my SPCH 213 class was to write a letter of advocacy (artifact #6) to a relevant person of power who would have the ability to enact change on the topic. At first, the importance of the advocacy letter was lost on me, but after seeing the number of times we had to advocate for our patients, it is clear that this was something that was necessary in the healthcare field for providers. Now I have the skills and the resources to advocate not only for my patients, but patients all over the country and I have been motivated to get more involved in healthcare policy. I could see myself working on the administrative end of healthcare now that I have a better understanding of the inner workings of our healthcare system.
As a provider in the future, I believe I will better understand and be able to advocate for patients as I will be able to see the confines of our healthcare system. I also now have the tools and motivation to better our system by reaching out to representatives in the government who can enact change. Through advocacy and knowledge of the health-related ethical issues our country faces I hope that I can make a difference in our healthcare system so “healthcare for most” can become “healthcare for all”.
The universal healthcare debate was one I tackled in SPCH 213: Communicating Moral Issues. This class prompted the use of ethical models to describe and take a stance on an ethical issue in the world through 3 speeches spanning from 5 to 11 minutes each. The first speech was a forensic speech (artifact #1) outlining an unbiased overview of the ethical debate, the second was an invitational speech (artifact #2) that encouraged discussion about the topic, and the third was a policy speech (artifact #3) that proposed a plan to address the ethical issue. I chose to research our current healthcare system and analyze it in contrast to other universal healthcare system structures. After researching the topic and applying ethical models discussed in class, I determined that universal healthcare may not be the best option for the US. However, I discovered that there are definitely reforms necessary to implement in our current system in order to appropriately care for the amount of people who need it in the US. As a provider, it will be important to understand the pitfalls and advantages of our healthcare system, especially in regard to insurance.
I realized just how important the in depth knowledge of our healthcare system really is after beginning my exercise science practicum at the Sigurd Center for Neurological and Orthopedic Rehabilitation. In this clinic, there were both Occupational and Physical Therapists working with patients with varying levels of disability from minor stroke impairments to full limb amputations and major congenital disabilities. Every visit with a patient, the therapist or I would fill out a billing sheet to send to their insurance company in order to get reimbursed for the services. This came with a large learning curve as each insurance company had different policies regarding what could and couldn’t be billed in a session. I reflected on this experience in Journal 2 and 6 that I submitted for the practicum class. These can be seen as artifact #4 and #5 respectively, with the highlighted potions being the most relevant. Being exposed to the third-party reimbursement system is an invaluable experience especially as this is a part of healthcare I will encounter every day. Working in the clinic, there were times we had to turn away patients due to insurance issues and other times we had to advocate for our patients in order for their insurance to approve the necessary treatment sessions.
For instance, the clinic ran into issues with an insurance company who was not reimbursing them at an acceptable rate. This caused issues for many patients as they were at risk of having to go somewhere else for therapy if they didn’t switch insurance companies. From the ethical considerations I researched in SPCH 213, I now realize how upsetting and unethical this issue is. I understand why a smaller business such as the Sigurd Center was forced to make this tough decision, but it is one I don’t believe they should have to make and think there could be improvements in our healthcare system through more heavily regulated insurance companies. We also encountered issues with insurance companies not approving the correct number of therapy sessions for patients, even though it was clear to us that it was required for them to continue their normal activities of daily living. I saw many therapists vehemently advocating for their patients in order to prove to the insurance companies that this was a necessity for them. However, I am able to see this issue from both sides and realize that those insurance companies also need to make money and can’t do that if they over-approve these visits. I am more able to understand the complexity and gravity of situations like these due to my experience in the clinic and the knowledge I gained in the classroom.
The last assignment of my SPCH 213 class was to write a letter of advocacy (artifact #6) to a relevant person of power who would have the ability to enact change on the topic. At first, the importance of the advocacy letter was lost on me, but after seeing the number of times we had to advocate for our patients, it is clear that this was something that was necessary in the healthcare field for providers. Now I have the skills and the resources to advocate not only for my patients, but patients all over the country and I have been motivated to get more involved in healthcare policy. I could see myself working on the administrative end of healthcare now that I have a better understanding of the inner workings of our healthcare system.
As a provider in the future, I believe I will better understand and be able to advocate for patients as I will be able to see the confines of our healthcare system. I also now have the tools and motivation to better our system by reaching out to representatives in the government who can enact change. Through advocacy and knowledge of the health-related ethical issues our country faces I hope that I can make a difference in our healthcare system so “healthcare for most” can become “healthcare for all”.
Artifacts
Artifact #1: Forensic Speech
Artifact #3: Policy Speech
Artifact #5: Journal 6- Paperwork
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Artifact #2: Invitational Speech
Artifact #4: Journal 2- Advocacy
Artifact #6: Advocacy Letter
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