HHP.3510.Week6 (1)
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Austin Peay State University *
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3510
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Medicine
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by I.Martinez98
Chapter 7 Exercises 7.2 Should medical services be free? Justify your answer.
Yes, they should be provided for free but only to uninsured individuals and people who are insured that require financial assistance to help cover their medical expenses that they are expected to cover out-of-pocket. Businesses can claim the services as a business expense to help lower the amount of taxes the business must pay when they file their taxes, and this provides a financial incentive for businesses to provide services to individuals for free. Allowing people who are unable to cover their medical costs the opportunity to receive their medical care for free increases the likelihood of these individuals seeking treatment for illnesses and diseases in their early stages, preventing the spread of contagious diseases, and promoting healthier lifestyles. Therefore allowing individuals who struggle to cover their medical costs the opportunity to receive free medical care can lead to better overall public health outcomes. Improving public health outcomes of a population will decrease the amount of resources used on the population to improve its public health outcomes which will help prevent any additional financial strain the business would endure trying to satisfy the health care needs of more complex patients with preventable health conditions. Allowing all individuals to have access to medical care regardless of their ability to pay positively promotes the medical facility as the facility would be demonstrating ethical principles such as equality and justice. Achieving a positive image to present to consumers could influence the local population’s preferences when choosing a medical facility to seek care which could lead to an increase in patients being treated at medical facilities that have a good reputation.
7.6 During the last five years, average daily occupancy at Autumn Acres nursing home has slid from 125 to 95 even though Autumn Acres has cut its daily rate from $125 to $115. Do these
data suggest that occupancy would have been higher if Autumn Acres had raised its rates? What changes in non-price demand factors might explain this change? (The supply, or the number of nursing home beds in the area, has not changed during this period.)
The data does not suggest that occupancy would have been higher if Autumn Acres had raised its
rates. There are various possible reasons for the decline in Autumn Acres's daily occupancy could be a shift in patient preference towards alternative forms of medical care, a negative change in patient beliefs about the facility, a decrease in the quality of care patients receive at the
facility, and changing population demographics in the area leading to a reduced elderly population. Other reasons that may have caused Autumn Acres’ occupancy decrease are changes in patient income, and increased competition from other nursing homes that are offering additional services, better patient care, and amenities that are not offered at Autumn Acres.
7.7 Your hospital is considering opening a satellite urgent care center about five miles from your main campus. You have been charged with gathering demographic information that might affect the demand for the center’s services. What data are likely to be relevant?
I would gather data on the population density, age distribution of the population, average income
levels for the population, the number of people who are insured, and the types of insurance that are most commonly used. Additionally, I would gather data on employment patterns of the surrounding population, any data about facilities that would be considered competitors, transportation access, health care utilization patterns, cultural as well as language diversity, and any community health needs assessments.
The data about the population density in the area surrounding the proposed satellite urgent care center would provide me the insight into the potential demand for its services. Typically areas with higher population densities that present overwhelming population growth will impact the population’s health, which will decrease access to necessary care for citizens and hurt the quality
of care that the population receives. Analyzing the age distribution of the population can help predict the types of medical needs that are likely to be in demand. Income levels of the population can impact the demand for healthcare services for the population. Naturally, higher-
income populations will typically have individuals who are more likely to seek urgent care services promptly meanwhile, lower-income populations may have residents who are more likely
to delay seeking medical attention due to fears of receiving medical bills they can not afford subjecting them to financial burden. Understanding the percentage of residents with health insurance coverage, especially those with insurance plans that cover urgent care visits, can help estimate the potential demand for the satellite urgent care center's services. Examining employment patterns can provide insights into potential peak times for urgent care visits. Areas with a high concentration of workers in industries with occupational hazards or physical demands may see higher demand for urgent care services. Assessing the data related to the proximity of the satellite urgent care center to other healthcare facilities would help me understand the competitive environment and potential demand for urgent care services in the surrounding area. Analyzing the population’s access to transportation options can influence potential patients' ability to access the urgent care center, thus having an impact on the demand for urgent care services. Understanding the cultural and language diversity of the population can help tailor services to ensure that the new facility can meet the needs of diverse communities and
ensure effective communication with patients. Next, gathering historical data on healthcare
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utilization in the area to analyze, including the number of emergency room visits and primary care utilization rates, would provide insights into any potential existing gaps in healthcare services that the new satellite urgent care center could address. Finally, gathering any data on existing community health needs assessments or conducting new surveys to gather community input can help identify specific healthcare needs that the population may have and preferences that the satellite urgent care center could potentially fulfill.
7.8 How would each of the following changes affect the demand curve for acupuncture?
The price of an acupuncture session increases: If the price of acupuncture were to increase, assuming all other factors remain constant, this could result in the demand for acupuncture decreasing. If the price of acupuncture were to rise this could result in fewer consumers that will be willing or able to pay for it, which could lead to a decrease in demand for acupuncture. Online sessions on stretching reduce back problems: If online stretching sessions are proven to reduce back problems effectively, this could potentially decrease the demand for acupuncture because patients are being offered an effective substitute.
Medicare reduces the copayment for acupuncture from $20 to $10: If Medicare were to reduce the copayment for acupuncture this could increase the demand for acupuncture services among Medicare beneficiaries. The lower copayments make acupuncture more affordable, potentially attracting a higher volume of patients who seek acupuncture treatments which could increase the demand for acupuncture. The surgeon general issues a warning that back surgery is ineffective: If the surgeon general were to issue an official warning that back surgery is ineffective this could influence the
population’s preferences about alternative treatments, which could potentially increase the demand for treatments such as acupuncture. Medicare stops covering back surgery: If Medicare were to stop covering back surgeries, beneficiaries who previously relied on Medicare coverage for back surgery may seek alternative therapies. This could lead to an increase in demand for acupuncture services, especially among Medicare beneficiaries who are now looking for alternative treatments that may help their back problems.