HCP-382: Health Policy Reform: Comparative Perspective

Semester: Fall

Credit: 1.0

Syllabus: Click here for syllabus

Faculty: Mary Ruggie

Schedule

Day Time Location
First Day 9/3
Meet Day T/Th 11:40 AM - 1:00 PM T401
Review

Description

The United States spends more than any other country on health care, yet ranks low in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and equality. As policymakers embark on massive health care reform, many are asking what the US can learn from the experiences of other countries. Even though all countries struggle with the fundamental tension between controlling costs and improving health care provision and outcomes, many have reformed their health care systems and are making progress in achieving their goals. This course examines developments in financing, physician payments, primary care, and the use of hospitals and technology. We compare efforts in the US with those in Canada, Britain, and Germany in a search for transferrable lessons. We will also discuss such issues as the roles and relations of government and private actors, the distribution of responsibilities for processes and outcomes, the use of rationing, and the regulation of pharmaceutical prices.