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2 replies of at least 250 words.For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 1 scholarlycitation in APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in APA format.Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sourcesinclude journal articles or textbook. In addition, please include Scripture for your thread.
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Cost of Medical Care
In current times, the cost of medical care has increased tremendously. Whether
a patient is paying out of pocket or has insurance that is billed, it costs an exorbitant
amount of money. The textbook entitled Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth
Approach points out several interesting and thought-provoking things regarding this
topic including how much it used to cost to have a baby. The author shared that, “The
1962 bill of $113.85 included a three-day stay in the hospital for the mother, her
anesthetic, lab fees, medicine, dressings, delivery room, nursery, her son’s circumcision,
and even his bracelet” (Henslin, 2019, p. 294). Today, the cost of nearly the same care is
$11,481 (Henslin, 2019). Why the drastic change? The textbook outlines several
reasons including new technology, larger elder population, and medical care for profit
(Henslin, 2019).
Regarding the topic of medicine for profit, it is important for those in the
medical profession to earn an income, but unfortunately, we have witnessed over the
last few decades doctors and hospitals doing some unnecessary procedures and
prescribing unnecessary medication in order to bill insurance as much as possible. The
textbook dove into the topic of Cesarean births and how they are almost always
unnecessary (Henslin, 2019). Henslin stated that, “The main reason for the increase in
Cesarean births seems to be more income for obstetricians—doctors who specialize in
childbirth. Being able to charge much more for cesarean births motivates them to
recommend the surgery” (Henslin, 2019, p. 296).
In an article written by Nicholas DeSimone and published by Forum for
Economic Education, he delved into the aspect of overuse of healthcare because of
insurance coverage and how that increases medical costs. He wrote, “More insurance
dulls consumer price sensitivity, leading to over-consumption of health care, which
means more costly spending; and as health care becomes more expensive, demand for
insurance rises” (DeSimone, 2018, para. 12). For example, people may not have as
many qualms about going to the doctor over trivial illnesses as they might have if they
had to pay out of pocket.
In conclusion, it is vital that those in the medical profession earn an income, but
not overcharge, operate, or prescribe unnecessarily. I do not believe that medical care
should be free, but it must be reasonably priced and not cost exorbitantly more than it
costs the hospital. 1 John 3:17-18 says, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth
his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how
dwelleth the love of God in him?” (King James Bible, 1611/2023).
References
Henslin, J. M. (2019). Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th ed.). Pearson
Education (US). https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9780135256855Links to an
external site.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible
Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Links to an external site. (Original work
published 1769)
DeSimone, N. (2018, December 7). Why You’re Paying More (and More) For Health Care.
Forum for Economic Education. https://fee.org/articles/why-you-re-paying-more-andmore-for-health-care/Links to an external site.
Reply: 250 words
The cost of physical illness is seen as a social problem depending on life expectancy,
lifestyle choices, infant mortality, and heroic medicine. The life expectancy of some
Americans is a concern to the United States since it is lesser than others due to poverty.
Some Americans also face high mortality rates due to children being exposed to nonnutritious meals (Henslin, 2018). On thе other hand, mental illness is sееn as a social
problem because it contributes to things like suicide. Mentally ill people may have
fluctuating behavior changes, which can affect thеir lifestyle.
Symbolic interactionism focuses on how people determine meaning and how the
meaning influences their behaviors. For instance, when people are labeled as having a
“pre-existing condition”, it affects how people perceive them, leading to difficulty in
accessing various medical services. Symbolic interactionism focuses on the
significance of social support among individuals who feel isolated in society. Lack of
social support can lead to things like depersonalization, as Henslin refers to them.
Sociologists argue that most poor people face depersonalization because some
doctors view them as objects of no value.
Functionalism theory emphasizes how the interrelation of various things in society
works together to enhance stability in the healthcare sector (Henslin, 2018). Henslin
reports that the fee-for-service system has increased, and mental and physical illnesses
have become a social problem because most people shy away from hospitals due to
higher costs. The longer people patients stay in hospitals, the higher the medical costs.
Henslin reports that this system can benefit both the doctor through payment and the
patient when choosing the doctor of their choice. At the global level, functionalists also
analyze the dysfunctions and functions of medicines since some reduce death rates on
a global scale while others become a worry to patients due to the set conditions. Based
on the various conditions and functionality of the medicines, functionalism describes
the issues of mental and physical illness and social problems in the United States.
Conflict theory disagrees with the functionalist perspective that the medical system in
the United States is not self-correcting (Henslin, 2018). The theory describes illness as
clash outcomes between interest groups. Conflict theorists say that the poor struggle
with illness because of failure to acquire nutritious food, high-quality education, medical
care, jobs, and housing. Conflict theorists argue that healthcare in the United States
should be a right for all citizens and should not be explored as a profit platform. Based
on this theory, healthcare should be universal, and everybody should access it
regardless of thеir financial status.
Medical care in thе United Statеs can be efficient by focusing on preventative rather
than reactive care. Treating illnesses can be more expensive than focusing on
preventative care, which majorly centers on lifestyle practices. Henslin suggests that
preventative care can reduce the burden and cost of healthcare in the United States
(Henslin, 2018). Implementing universal healthcare in the United States is another
strategy that can enhance the efficiency of medical care. Despite the financial status of
any individual, if healthcare can be accessed by everyone quickly, it can reduce the
costs incurred in hospitals in the long term through prevention measures. Additionally,
regulation of the costs of medicine can help enhance the accessibility of medical care
because even people experiencing poverty would be able to afford them. A fee-forservice raises healthcare costs instead of preventative medicine, which focuses on
people’s lifestyles.
References
Henslin, J. M. (2018). Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 13th edition.
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