HEALTHCARE IN THE UNITED STATES

HISTORY OF HEALTHCARE

Over the past century, the Healthcare industry has seen a radical shift in the forms of
technology, application and usage in society.

By the 1900s, the American Medical Association becomes the largest association of
doctors.

Drugs such as penicillin become commonplace in the 1940s.

Healthcare costs double from the 1900s to the 1950s.

In response to the rising cost of healthcare, over 700 insurance companies begin
selling insurance in the 1950s.

By the 1990s healthcare costs continue to rise at double the rate of inflation.

The Affordable Care Act is signed into law in 2010, requiring Americans to have
health coverage starting in January 2014.

MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN HEALTHCARE

Pharmaceutical Companies

The pharmaceutical companies play a prominent role in containing costs

within the health care delivery system.

The top two companies in the United States are Johnson and Johnson, and
Pfizer.

Healthcare Providers

HMOs and PPOs make up the majority of the insurance options in the United
States

MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN HEALTHCARE

(CONTD)
Patients

It is the patient's responsibility to stay involved, informed, and educated about

their health and the care they receive.

Hospitals

Within the hospital setting there are many key players to keep it functioning.
You have Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Respiratory
Therapists and many more that help keep a hospital fully functioning.

There are many different types of hospitals. There are short-stay hospitals
(acute) and long-term hospitals (rehabs and psychiatric).

SOCIETAL VIEWS ON THE HEALTHCARE

INDUSTRY
Pharmaceutical Industry
The Pharmaceutical Industry is continuously viewed as unfavorable due to the
increases in drug pricing and overall rising costs in healthcare.
Hospitals and Patient Experience
A shift in ownership from not-for-profit entities to now large corporate owned
facilities has placed distance between a hospital and a potential benefactor who
believes in the mission that a hospital emphasizes.
Patient experience shapes individual perceptions about hospitals and the medical
industry, which can either be positive or negative.
Insurance Companies
Insurance companies typically have a negative view by members of society due
to complications with pricing and coverage of everything from medical care to
prescription medication.

INTERNAL VIEWS FROM WITHIN THE MEDICAL

INDUSTRY

Companies from within the medical industry believe that their work is helping
to improve the lives of individuals.

INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
Healthcare coverage and hospital care are primary indicators of changes
within the Healthcare Industry

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HEALTHCARE

INDUSTRY
Improvements in technology is one of the main constants in the
Healthcare Industry.

WAYS TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE

Staffing and hospital shortages
Shortage of general practitioners and nurses leave patients
without getting the attention they may need during a
hospital visit.
A general lack of facilities to accommodate patients.
B. Medication and treatment
Stop overprescribing medications that have more side
effects than benefits.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

HEALTHCARE FOR DIFFERENT MEMBERS
OF SOCIETY
Insured vs. Uninsured patients will not be turned away, but
can receive varying degrees of care.
Insured Patients can receive better care, shorter wait
times, and see better doctors depending on their
coverage plan.
Uninsured patients face exponential costs and potential
substandard care.

FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE OF THE

HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY

Insurance carriers and hospitals work in tandem to serve the masses in

a seamless fashion. This view is the internal perspective of the
institution.

Doctors and nurses work within the structure, and are not above the
institution

Patients are assimilated into the system and treated to help them
become productive members of society

Improvements in technology allow for more advanced methods of

treatment

PROBLEMS WITH THE FUNCTIONALIST

PERSPECTIVE
Continuous changes to healthcare coverage can provide a
barrier to the care a patient may need.
Staffing shortages, hospital capacity, and lack of medical
tools (such as transplanted organs) create an ineffective
environment for treatment.

SICK ROLE
Theory popularized in 1951 by Sociologist Talcott
Parsons, which states that being sick is a role that
is governed by a different set of societal
expectations (from everyday rights to specific sick
role rights and obligations).

SICK ROLE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

1. No fault is placed on the person for being sick
2. An exemption is given from normal social roles and
responsibilities
3. A person who is sick must seek professional help
4. It is the responsibility of the sick person to get well as soon
as possible

DEVIANCE
Parson classifies illness as a deviance from normal social
roles and obligations, particularly with commitments to social
roles of work and family.

HOSPITALS AND THE SICK ROLE

The Physician plays an important role in the Sick Role, as they
are needed to validate the deviance of the individual.

CRITICISM OF THE SICK ROLE

Parsons Sick Role Theory however does not take into
account patients with chronic illness and that require
continuous care from the the Healthcare Industry.
Obligations in the Sick Role are reliant upon the individual
or patient to carry them out. The doctor is only present as
validator.

CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE IN THE HEALTHCARE

INDUSTRY
Insurance Companies

Insurance decides whether to cover patient or deny them coverage

Insurance companies are motivated by maintaining a profitable balance

sheet

Individuals who can afford to pay more will receive better quality care

Under the Affordable Care Act, all Americans are required to purchase
health insurance, with the subsidization of poverty stricken individuals
being covered with basic care.

CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE IN THE HEALTHCARE

INDUSTRY
Insurance Companies
Excerpt From the 2007 Documentary Sicko

Conflict Perspective In The Healthcare Industry

Hospitals
Shift from not-for-profit hospitals to large corporate
hospital chains has driven up costs and decreased the
quality of care and focus on the patient.
Hospitals beholden to increasing profits and cost cutting
measures
Unequal distribution of healthcare facilities, especially in
rural areas

CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE IN THE

HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
Pharmaceutical Industry
Governed by profits, and viewed unfavorably by members
of society
As drug price rise, medication becomes unaffordable to
certain members of society

WORKS CITED

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Parsons, Talcott. The Social System. New York: Free, 1964. Print.

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(2014). Http://online.sagepub.com/. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://hhs.sagepub.com/content/27/1/70.refs>.

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