| The wealthiest country in the world ought to | | | | medical services to recognized Tribes and Alaska |
| provide the best healthcare resources for its | | | | Natives. IHS is a section of the U.S. Department |
| citizens. Sadly, the United States isn't even in the | | | | of Health and Human Services. |
| top 10 of the World Health Organization's health | | | | Healthcare facilities: |
| systems. The truth is health facilities in America | | | | · Public Hospitals - representing two-thirds of all |
| are chiefly owned and operated by private | | | | urban hospitals in the country. It is funded by the |
| companies. Also, insurance is largely provided by | | | | Government (Local, State and Federal) that |
| the private sector. With the rising level of inflation, | | | | provide care to poor, uninsured patients. Other |
| a substantial percentage of Americans cannot | | | | non-profit hospitals are mostly associated with a |
| afford healthcare resources which include primary | | | | religious denomination or charitable corporation. |
| and preventive care, insurance, prescription drugs, | | | | · Ambulatory Surgery Centers - also known as |
| medical supplies and equipment, etc. | | | | surgicenters, outpatient surgery centers or same |
| At present, there is the much debated issue | | | | day surgery centers; these medical facilities |
| about President Barack Obama's healthcare | | | | perform surgical procedures in an outpatient |
| reform, which intends to address the lack of | | | | setting. Meaning the surgeries done at these |
| accessibility to healthcare resources. It especially | | | | centers do not require hospitalization, thus is less |
| focuses on restructuring existing insurance policies | | | | costly and complicated for patients. |
| to protect consumers. In general, the these | | | | · Community Centers - community-based |
| reform aims to improve the overall state of | | | | healthcare facilities which cater to low-income and |
| American healthcare | | | | or uninsured patients, migrant and seasonal farm |
| So far, the only low-cost healthcare resources | | | | workers, the homeless and those living in public |
| available are the following. | | | | housing. |
| Healthcare programs: | | | | · Hill-Burton Facilities - consists of hospitals, |
| · Medicare - a Government insurance program | | | | nursing homes, and other health centers that |
| that covers people who are aged 65 and above | | | | benefited from construction/modernization grants |
| · Medicaid - a health program funded by the | | | | and loans in 1946, in turn these facilities are |
| Federal and State Government for individuals and | | | | obligated to provide services to poor patients |
| families with low incomes and resources. | | | | residing within the area. At present, there are 200 |
| · Children's Insurance Program - a program by | | | | facilities nationwide that provide medical services |
| United States Department of Health and Human | | | | to eligible patients. |
| Services that funds medical services to eligible | | | | Healthcare information: |
| children under the age of 19 | | | | · Health Resources and Services Administration - |
| · Veterans Administration - a medical assistance | | | | an information center that provides publications, |
| program by the United States Department of | | | | healthcare resources and referrals about |
| Veterans Affairs which operates numerous | | | | affordable health care services especially targeting |
| outpatient clinics, hospitals, medical centers and | | | | low-income, uninsured patients and those with |
| facilities. | | | | special health care needs. |
| · Military System - a component of the United | | | | · United States Public Health Service - comprises |
| States Department of Defense that provides | | | | all agencies of Health and Human Services and the |
| healthcare to active duty and retired U.S. Military | | | | Commissioned Corps for the purpose of delivering |
| personnel and their families. | | | | public health promotion and disease prevention |
| · Indian Service - is responsible for providing | | | | programs and advancing public health science. |