Health care reform

Health care reform

Health care reform (pronunciation: /ˈhelθ keər rɪˈfɔːrm/) refers to the changes in health policy that affect health care delivery in a given place. Health care reform typically attempts to:

• Broaden the population that receives health care coverage through either public sector insurance programs or private sector insurance companies
• Expand the array of health care providers consumers can choose among
• Improve the access to health care specialists
• Improve the quality of health care
• Give more care to citizens
• Decrease the cost of health care

Etymology

The term "health care reform" is a general term used to refer to policy changes that aim to affect the delivery of health care. The term "reform" implies a shift towards a better condition, in this case, a better health care system.

Related Terms

• Health policy: The plans, decisions, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society.
• Public health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.
• Private health care: Health care provided by entities other than the government.
• Health care provider: An individual or an institution that provides preventive, curative, promotional, or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to individuals, families, or communities.
• Health insurance: A type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses incurred by the insured.

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