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Introduction:

The United States Healthcare Delivery System is coming under increased scrutiny 
and criticism.  Healthcare in the United States is becoming increasingly difficult to 
obtain, due mainly to increased cost, thus, becoming unreachable for certain 
segments of society.  Many people see the need to restructure the entire 
healthcare industry, while others see the solution in a continuing free enterprise 
and market system.

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The Task:                     

You are part of a bipartisan Healthcare Advisory Group (HAG), whose purpose is 
to examine all aspects of the United States Healthcare System. After completing 
a thorough examination of the system currently in place, your task is to recommend 
any changes necessary to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to 
all Americans.

In order to complete this Web Quest you will need to answer the following questions:

Ø     What role does the government play in healthcare?

Ø     What do  MEDICARE and MEDICAID provide?

Ø     Is socialized medicine an alternative?

Ø     How does Canada’s healthcare delivery system compare to the  United States?

Ø     Why are prescription drugs so costly and why does their cost continue to rise?

Ø     What part does the pharmaceutical industry play in the overall cost of
 healthcare?

Ø     Can hospital and physician costs be controlled?

Ø     Has healthcare insurance put healthcare out of reach for many Americans?

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The Process:             

The Healthcare Advisory Group (HAG) will be divided into five groups for this 
Web Quest.  Each group will be assigned one area of the healthcare industry to 
research and evaluate.  The five areas are as follows:

1.    The pharmaceutical  industry and drug costs. 

2.    Government role in the healthcare industry including medicare and 

       medicaid as well as social security.

3.    The insurance industry’s role in costs and availability.

4.     Hospital and physicians cost.

5.     Canada’s socialized healthcare system. 

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Learning Advice: 

This Web Quest can be overwhelming in its scope.  Focus only on specific 
information and facts needed.  When researching, the emphasis is on those 
factors controlling/affecting costs of healthcare.  Research this project with 
an unbiased opinion as to examining the current healthcare system in place 
and making any recommendations for reform.  The recommendations must 
be manageable and realistic.

It may also be helpful to get a firsthand view of the current situation by 
speaking with a pharmacist, a physician, an insurance agent, and a retiree 
living on social security.  These individuals may provide you with some insight 
and a different  perspective on the healthcare industry.

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   .resources 

Overview of healthcare industry
                      
        www.msnbc.com/news/healthcare_front.asp
        www.hcfa.gov/
        www.medicare.gov/
        dt.pdr.net/dt/public.htm?path=content/journals/d/data/2001/0115/dce01b2001.html
        healthfinder.gov/smartchoices/qualitycare/default.htm

Healthcare issues
    www.ahcpub.com/ahc_root_html/hot/archive/ham012001.html
       www.ahcpub.com/ahc_root_html/hot/archive/ctu012001.html
       www.aarp.org/programs/health/home.html
       www.docboard.org/md/DOCTOR.HTM

Healthcare system change
    books.nap.edu/books/0309070260/html/141.html#pagetop

“What is socialized medicine?"
    encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/61/0610D000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1

Canadian Healthcare
    www.hc-sc.gc.ca/datapcb/datahesa/E_expend.htm

 

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Evaluation:

 Your project will be assessed using the following criteria:

§        Are the changes in the U.S. Healthcare Delivery System realistic?

§        Is your criticism of different aspects of the U.S. system based on fact
      and not biased opinion?

§        Have you presented positive and negative aspects of the current system?

§        Is your rationale clear and supported by vaid information? 

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 Conclusion:

 As a result of this Web Quest, you discovered the various components of the
 United States Healthcare Delivery System and the role each component plays
 in the overall cost and quality of care. You also have a working knowledge of
 a contrasting healthcare system of socialized medicine as is used in Canada.

 Most importantly, you have learned to analyze, evaluate and recommend
 changes in one of the most complex healthcare systems in the world.  Your
 overall knowledge in the U.S. and Canadian systems made you a more
 competent healthcare consumer.