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Instructions of PHIL 210 Module six Paper
Reflection Paper 6: Is healthcare a commodity or a service?
Purpose
It’s no secret that wages are something that draws people into the healthcare industry. The dollars to pay those wages comes from the fees charged and collected from patients and/or their insurance company. The amount charged for a service goes back to basic economic theory…or does it? Just a simple review of some basic economic theory states:
- A commodity is a basic good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Commodities are most often used as inputs in the production of other goods or services
- A service is a transaction in which no physical goods are transferred from the seller to the buyer
- Supply & Demand: States that prices will vary until the quantity demanded (at the current price) equals the quantity supplied (at the current price)
Given that quick refresher, where does healthcare fall? Should you bargain shop for your healthcare? Is it okay to inflate the cost of services or healthcare goods if the supply is scarce? These thoughts and more are exactly what this activity is designed to discuss.
Task
- Compose a reflection paper, according to the guidelinesLinks to an external site., in response to the instructions below.
Instructions
- Read the following articles
- 10 Things to Expect from the New Hospital Price Transparency RuleLinks to an external site.
- Health care is not a service commodityLinks to an external site.
- Health care is a commodity, not a right – and markets, not government are the solution in medical careLinks to an external site.
- Mylan CEO on EpiPen drug price controversy: “I get the outrage”Links to an external site.
- Respond to the following prompts:
- Is access to health insurance a right? What about access to healthcare?
- Most of the older generation doesn’t consider medical services to be negotiable, the younger generation is the opposite. Why is that?
- Do you really want to trust your health to the lowest bidder?
- What if you get sick, are you going to call around to see the cost of office visits?
- if that were to become standard practice, in what ways could your future profession be impacted?
- Making hospitals post their pricing, at first glance seems like a good idea, but what
- if the price at hospital A includes things (better supplies, care by better staff, above standard practices, in-patient rehab, etc.) that the price at hospital B doesn’t include?
- What about situations where rural hospitals charge more for procedures based on the lack of other options? What impacts could be felt if more patients see that the same procedure at a hospital 100 miles away is cheaper?
- Thinking about the higher prices of the EpiPen a few years ago, if you were CEO, would you allow the huge price inflation? Why or why not?
- Your response needs to be AT LEAST 2 pages long
- The submission should be double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font
- Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm
Rubric
Reflection Papers (1)
Reflection Papers (1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics |
| 3 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of Submission |
| 10 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization |
| 3 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormat & Page Length |
| 2 pts | ||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTimeliness |
| 2 pts | ||||
Total Points: 20 | ||||||
Step-By-Step Guide PHIL 210 Module six Paper: Is healthcare a commodity or a service?
Introduction to PHIL 210 Module Six Reflection Paper
The PHIL 210 Module six Paper: Is healthcare a commodity or a service? explores the ethical considerations and economic theories surrounding the pricing and accessibility of healthcare services. It challenges you to critically evaluate whether healthcare and health insurance should be considered rights, the generational differences in negotiating medical services, the implications of trusting healthcare to the lowest bidder, the potential impacts of price shopping for medical services, and the complexities of hospital pricing transparency. This PHIL 210 How-To Guide examines rural hospital pricing issues and includes a case study on EpiPen price inflation from a CEO’s perspective.
Is access to health insurance a right? What about access to healthcare?
Understanding Access to Health Insurance and Healthcare as Rights
To start the PHIL 210 Module six Paper: Is healthcare a commodity or a service?, we will discuss whether access to health insurance and healthcare should be considered a right.
- Define critical terms (e.g., suitable, healthcare, health insurance) and provide a balanced view.
- Use ethical theories such as utilitarianism and deontology to support your arguments.
- Cite relevant laws and policies that pertain to healthcare access.
Example
Access to health insurance and healthcare is a contentious issue often framed as a right. Healthcare refers to services provided to maintain or improve health, whereas health insurance is a contract that requires an insurer to pay some or all of a person’s healthcare costs in exchange for a premium. A right is an entitlement that should be guaranteed to all individuals.
From a practical perspective, ensuring access to healthcare maximizes overall societal well-being by promoting a healthier population. On the other hand, deontological ethics argues that healthcare should be a right because it respects all individuals’ inherent dignity and worth.
Relevant policies supporting this view include the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded healthcare access in the U.S., and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which consists of the right to health (Kevin, 2018).
Most older generations don’t consider medical services negotiable; the younger generation is the opposite. Why is that?
Generational Perspectives on Negotiability of Medical Services
Here, we will compare the perspectives of older and younger generations on the negotiability of medical services.
- Analyze sociocultural and economic factors influencing each generation’s views.
- Include surveys or studies that highlight these generational differences.
- Discuss the potential reasons behind these differing perspectives, such as economic conditions and changes in healthcare systems.
Example
Older generations often view medical services as non-negotiable, while younger generations tend to negotiate medical expenses more frequently (Dougherty et al., 2022).
Sociocultural factors play a significant role; older generations grew up with more paternalistic healthcare models where doctors’ decisions were seldom questioned. Economically, they often had more stable jobs with comprehensive health benefits. In contrast, younger generations face economic instability, high healthcare costs, and a consumer-driven service approach (Kevin, 2018).
Surveys indicate that younger people are more likely to question and negotiate medical costs, influenced by the rise of high-deductible health plans and transparency tools. These differences reflect broader changes in the healthcare system, such as increased costs and the availability of price comparison resources.
Do you want to trust your health to the lowest bidder?
Evaluating Trust in Lowest Bidder for Healthcare
Now, we will reflect on the implications of trusting your health to the lowest bidder.
- Consider the quality of care, patient safety, and ethical implications.
- Compare scenarios where cost-cutting measures may compromise service quality.
- Support your points with examples from healthcare settings or industries with similar dynamics.
Example
Trusting healthcare to the lowest bidder raises significant concerns about quality and safety. Quality of care may suffer as providers cut costs to offer lower prices, potentially compromising patient safety and outcomes (Perry, 2017). For example, hospitals might use cheaper, lower-quality materials or reduce staffing levels, leading to higher rates of medical errors.
Similar risks are revealed in healthcare compared with other industries, such as construction. Cost-cutting often results in lower quality and safety standards. Therefore, prioritizing cost over quality in healthcare can lead to detrimental consequences for patient health.
What if you get sick? Will you call around to see the cost of office visits? If that were to become standard practice, in what ways could your future profession be impacted?
Impact of Standard Practice of Price Shopping in Healthcare
For this section of the PHIL 210 Module six Paper: Is healthcare a commodity or a service?, we will assess how price shopping for healthcare services could impact your future profession.
- Discuss potential positive and negative consequences.
- Consider how this practice could influence patient behavior, healthcare delivery, and professional ethics.
- Use examples from healthcare markets where price transparency is practiced.
Example
If price shopping for healthcare services became standard, it could have mixed impacts on the profession.
On the positive side, increased transparency could drive competition, potentially lowering costs and improving service quality. Patients might become more informed and engaged in their healthcare decisions (Perry, 2017). However, it could also lead to fragmented care as patients prioritize cost over continuity and quality of care.
Examples from healthcare markets, such as elective procedures, where price transparency is standard, show benefits and drawbacks. While patients can make cost-effective choices, focusing on price can sometimes overlook crucial aspects of care quality and outcomes.
Making hospitals post their pricing, at first glance, seems like a good idea, but what Does the price at hospital A include things (better supplies, care by better staff, above standard practices, in-patient rehab, etc.) that the price at hospital B doesn’t include?
Analysis of Hospital Pricing Transparency
Now, evaluate the pros and cons of hospitals posting their pricing.
- Analyze the implications for patient decision-making, hospital competition, and healthcare costs.
- Consider the factors that might not be included in listed prices (e.g., quality of care, additional services).
- Provide examples where pricing transparency has been implemented and its outcomes.
Example
On the positive side, it empowers patients to make informed decisions, fosters competition and drives down prices (Dougherty et al., 2022).. However, it also has drawbacks, such as the complexity of healthcare pricing. Prices at Hospital A might include comprehensive services and higher quality care compared to Hospital B, which might not be immediately apparent to patients.
Examples from states like California, where pricing transparency laws have been implemented, show mixed outcomes. While transparency has led to some price reductions, it has also caused confusion among patients about what services are included in the listed prices.
What about situations where rural hospitals charge more for procedures based on the lack of other options? What impacts could be felt if more patients see that the same procedure at a hospital 100 miles away is cheaper?
Rural Hospitals and Pricing Challenges
Here, we will discuss the ethical and practical challenges of higher prices at rural hospitals.
- Examine the reasons behind higher costs in rural areas, such as limited options and higher operational costs.
- Consider the impact on patient access and healthcare equity.
- Support your analysis using case studies or data from rural healthcare settings.
Example
Rural hospitals often charge more due to limited options and higher operational costs.
These higher costs are driven by fewer patients, higher per-patient overheads, and the necessity to offer a broader range of services with limited resources. This situation can exacerbate healthcare inequities as rural patients might forgo necessary treatments due to higher costs (Kevin, 2018).
Case studies from rural healthcare settings illustrate these challenges and highlight the ethical dilemma of ensuring equitable access to care while maintaining financial viability.
When considering the higher prices of EpiPen a few years ago, if you were CEO, would you allow the considerable price inflation? Why or why not?
Case Study: EpiPen Price Inflation from a CEO’s Perspective
For this PHIL 210 Module six Paper: Is healthcare a commodity or a service?, we will debate whether you would allow significant price inflation if you were the CEO.
- Consider price inflation’s ethical, economic, and social implications.
- Reflect on stakeholder interests, including patients, shareholders, and the broader public.
- Use the EpiPen case as a basis and compare it with similar situations in the pharmaceutical industry.
Example
Considering the EpiPen price hike, as a CEO, the decision to allow such inflation involves weighing ethical, economic, and social implications.
Ethically, significant price inflation can be seen as exploiting patients, especially those dependent on the medication (CBS News, 2017). Economically, while it might benefit shareholders in the short term, it risks long-term backlash and regulatory scrutiny. Socially, it damages public trust and exacerbates healthcare inequities.
Comparing the EpiPen case to similar situations in the pharmaceutical industry, such as insulin pricing, shows the importance of balancing profit motives with ethical responsibilities to patients and society.
Closing
This PHIL 210 Module six Paper: Is healthcare a commodity or a service? encourages a deep dive into the ethical and economic aspects of healthcare pricing and accessibility. By critically examining various scenarios and perspectives, you will develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in healthcare economics and ethics. The critical takeaway is balancing economic considerations with ethical responsibilities to ensure equitable and high-quality healthcare for all. By following this How-To Owlisdom Guide, you will be well-equipped to tackle each section of the assignment, providing a comprehensive and well-supported analysis. The upcoming module of PHIL 210 revolves around Academic Integrity & Reflection.
References
CBS News. (2017, January 27). EpiPen price hike controversy: Mylan CEO Heather Bresch speaks out – CBS News – Norah O’Donnell interview – CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epipen-price-hike-controversy-mylan-ceo-heather-bresch-speaks-out/
Dougherty, T., Dauner, D., & Ehnes C., C. (2022). 10 Things to Expect from the New Hospital Price Transparency Rule.
Kevin. (2018, May 12). Health care is not a service commodity. KevinMD.Com. https://www.kevinmd.com/2018/05/health-care-is-not-a-service-commodity.html
Perry, M. (2017, January 13). Health Care Is a Commodity, Not a Right—And Markets, Not Government Are the Solution in Medical Care. American Enterprise Institute – AEI. https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/health-care-is-a-commodity-not-a-right-and-markets-not-government-are-the-solution-in-medical-care/
