Daw - Problem Solutions Essay Text Dump

Copy and paste everything you’ve written for your Problem-Solutions synthesis Essay

The “Why I’m interested in my topic” section of the project Google Doc

“Where’s my thinking” update on Writing Partners (Feb. 19)

They Say, I Say sentences

Summaries of my sources from my project Google Doc or from Writing Partners

Text of all my annotations

1. The “Why I’m interested in my topic” section of the project Google Doc

(see step 1 of the Week 2 assignment)

As a senior planning on majoring in Public Health, I am interested in studying the high cost of healthcare in the U.S. and how it impacts people's access to care. The rising cost of healthcare only makes it harder for people in need to access the help they need. I want to understand why the costs are so high and explore solutions to help alleviate the hardship for families and individuals in need. Overall this is an urgent issue everywhere and could help make a difference in so many people's lives.

2. “Where’s my thinking” update on Writing Partners (Feb. 19)

My research on healthcare costs currently focuses on how access to essential medical treatments in the United States is impacted by financial constraints. I have gained an understanding of the complexities of healthcare costs through my reading and notes, particularly for those who are insured but still find it difficult to pay for care. I've become more cautious of the structural problems in the healthcare system as a result of reading the article Americans' Challenges with Health Care Costs. The paper shows that high deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket costs still prevent many people from accessing critical treatments, despite the widespread belief that having insurance ensures reasonable care.

As my research progresses, I hope to investigate the ways in which policy choices, insurance types, and socioeconomic position all play a role in these financial difficulties. Could certain policies lower the cost of healthcare? What is the difference between the expense of healthcare in the United States and other nations with different systems? I also want to look into the human aspect of this problem, of those who have had to postpone care because of expense or who have medical debt.

3. They Say, I Say sentences

Lopes et al. reports that many Americans struggle to afford healthcare, despite having medical insurance. In my source, Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Cost, they claim that health care cost serve as a burden to many individuals of many income levels. Disparities of healthcare access it further exemplified in the many charts and graphs used in this source. (Lopes et al.) .

Many people assume that having health insurance guarantees affordable healthcare. My source, 6 Reasons Healthcare Is So Expensive in the U.S, disproves this by claiming that medical bills being overly expensive is still the case, even with having insurance. Healthcare expenses come from high drug factors, profit-driven hospitals, defensive medical practices, ect. (Investopedia).

When it comes to the topic of healthcare cost, most of us will readily agree that hospitals play a big role in providing care. However, where this agreement often ends, is on the question of how to reduce financial burdens without compromising quality of care. On the one hand, some argue that cutting Medicare and Medicaid funding is necessary to control government spending, others argue that this would make it harder for hospitals to care for low-income patients. The American Hospital Association claims that policies should focus on supporting healthcare workers, protecting hospital funding, and lowering drug costs. This is argued on the basis of, hospitals should focus on reducing administrative waste and improving efficiency to lower costs. (AHA).

4. Summaries of my sources from my project Google Doc or from Writing Partners

The article Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs dives into the financial burden of healthcare in the United States. So many American citizens struggle to afford healthcare despite having insurance. In many cases, this medical care is necessary for the whole well-being yet, medical costs serve as a major barrier. A lot of people worry about unexpected medical bills and out-of-pocket costs, making healthcare affordability one of the most important topics in politics. This article puts many different parts into perspective and still challenges persist. It also has graphs and visual elements that help me further understand the disparities. Overall this is a great starting source for my research.

The article "6 Reasons Healthcare Is So Expensive in the U.S." breaks down the factors driving up healthcare costs in America. Despite having insurance, many Americans still struggle with high medical bills, which often impact their overall well-being. The article highlights several key reasons for these high costs, including the complex healthcare system, rising drug prices, and higher salaries for medical professionals. It also explains how profit-driven hospitals, defensive medical practices, and varying healthcare prices contribute to the issue. This article presents a clear picture of the challenges people face and how different parts of the system create financial burdens. It’s an insightful resource for anyone researching healthcare costs and the disparities in the U.S.

Hospitals in the U.S. work hard to provide care for everyone, but they face many challenges that make it difficult to keep up. The AHA is pushing for policies that protect hospital funding, support healthcare workers, and lower drug costs. They also want to hold insurance companies accountable and improve cybersecurity. One major issue is cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which make it harder for hospitals to afford care for low-income patients. Reducing these financial burdens could help lower healthcare costs overall and make care more accessible.
The Harvard School of Public Health is the source of this article. It talks about how, even with more people having insurance, healthcare in the US is becoming more and more affordable which came as a surprise to me. I wonder if with policy changes due to Trump's presidency and inflation, if this will have a major impact on healthcare. So many people already find it difficult to get the care they need due to growing out-of-pocket expenses. This is an issue which causes treatment delays and financial difficulties. It goes into how these rising costs are also a result of consolidation of medical facilities and practices. While long-term reforms like antitrust laws are required, the essay suggests short-term fixes like price controls and government subsidies. A balance between immediate aid and systemic reform is required, since research indicates that cost has an impact on both mental and physical health.

5. Text of all my annotations

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Paragraph 4, Sentence 1 1

Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Cost [Edited]

Highlights the widespread struggle with affording health care.

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Paragraph 4, Sentence 4 1

Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Delays

Emphasizes how costs force people to delay necessary care, potentially worsening health outcomes.

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Paragraph 4, Sentence 7 1

Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Prescriptions

Shows that even insured individuals struggle with affording medication, affecting treatment adherence.

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Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Insurance

Even those with insurance struggle with costs, showing gaps in coverage affordability.

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Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Debt

Health care costs contribute significantly to financial hardship, particularly among vulnerable groups.

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Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Worry

Demonstrates how financial stress over medical bills affects most Americans, regardless of income.

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Feb 19

2025 Achol D : Long-Term Care

Aging Americans face uncertainty about affording necessary long-term care.

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General Document Comments 1

Feb 19

2025 Achol D : SUMMARY [Edited]

The Kaiser Family Foundation article discusses how costly healthcare is for a large number of Americans. It explains that the majority of individuals worry about covering medical expenses, and many find it difficult to cover unforeseen expenses. Some people even forego medication or doctor’s appointments because they are unable to pay for it. The essay highlights the extent of the issue and makes the case for changes to lower the cost of healthcare.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Healthcare Costs

Healthcare is often very expensive, especially for Americans. There are many factors contributing to the high cost of healthcare in the U.S., including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Cost Comparasions

Drug prices, professional salaries, and hospital costs are much higher in the U.S. compared to other countries.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Coverage

U.S. healthcare is market-driven, leading to expensive insurance and care, unlike other nations with controlled systems.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Complexity

The variety of insurance plans and regulations makes the system unnecessarily complicated and costly.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Pharmaceuticals

The lack of regulation allows drug companies to set high prices, significantly raising U.S. spending on prescriptions.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Salaries

U.S. salaries for doctors are high compared to other countries, adding to overall healthcare costs.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Prices

The profit model drives up hospital prices, with procedures costing far more in the U.S. than in other countries.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Over-testing

Fear of lawsuits leads to unnecessary tests, driving up medical bills.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Inconsistencies

Prices vary greatly depending on the location and type of insurance, making costs unpredictable.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Mixed System

The U.S. has no universal coverage, unlike other developed nations.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Universal

Debate over universal healthcare centers on cost and feasibility, with no consensus on how to fix the system.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Programs

Medicare is for older adults, while Medicaid serves low-income individuals, but both have different structures and eligibility.

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Feb 27

2025 Achol D : Gov. Intervention

Unlike other countries, the U.S. lacks government control over healthcare pricing, keeping costs high.

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Mar 2

2025 Achol D : Technology’s role in education

This section highlights how technology is transforming learning environments. The introductory statement gives a good overview of the significance.

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Mar 4

2025 Achol D : Labor

Rising wages are a response to staffing shortages, not just inflation.

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Mar 4

2025 Achol D : Access

Budget issues can reduce healthcare availability, especially in rural areas.

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Mar 4

2025 Achol D : Supplies

Hospitals must absorb higher costs due to global shortages.

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Mar 4

2025 Achol D : Drugs

Hospitals must absorb higher costs due to global shortages.

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Mar 4

2025 Achol D : Reimbursement

Hospitals are losing money when payments don’t match expenses.

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Mar 4

2025 Achol D : Policy

Budget issues can reduce healthcare availability, especially in rural areas.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Introduction

This section sets up the importance of health care affordability, framing it as a key public health issue. Considering how the problem affects different groups of people.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Affordability

Despite more Americans having insurance, high out-of-pocket costs prevent many from accessing care. How do these costs impact long-term health?

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Economic Impact

Rising health care costs don’t just affect individuals but also influence household budgets, forcing difficult trade-offs.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Consolidation

The biggest challenge is market consolidation. Hospitals and corporate entities buying physician practices, leading to price increases. The government has struggled to regulate this.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Band-Aids

Short-term fixes like subsidies and price caps can help, but they may also encourage providers to raise prices.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Real Solutions

The long-term approach focuses on breaking up monopolies through antitrust enforcement.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Evidence

The studies cited support the idea that affordability impacts health outcomes, both physically and mentally.

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Finance

How does financial stress tie into overall well-being?

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Mar 8

2025 Achol D : Future

The author presents a mix of realistic expectations and hope for policy improvements.

DMU Timestamp: March 13, 2025 19:03