Major Characteristics of U.S. Health Care Delivery

The United States has a unique system of health care delivery compared with other developed countries around the world. Almost all other developed countries have universal health insurance programs in which the government plays a dominant role. Almost all of the citizens in these countries are entitled to receive health care services that include routine and basic health care. In contrast, only insured Americans have been able to obtain routine and basic health care services on a continuous basis. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010 (ACA of 2010) holds the promise of universal coverage under government mandates. However, expansion of health insurance at an affordable cost will likely remain a major challenge. Expanding access to health care while containing overall costs and maintaining expected levels of quality continues to confound academics, policy makers, and politicians alike. Chapter 1