Access to Quality Health Care Essay -- Health Care

Despite the countless advanced in technology and the abundance of health care organization popping up all over the place, whether they are free standing clinics, hospitals, urgent cares or etc, many people still lack the ability to receive quality health care. This has become a concern throughout the world, but especially a more vocal concern for residents of the United States in the past few years. In this paper we will discuss the reasons preventing access to quality health care and how we can overcome the many obstacles that stand in our way to provide quality health care to many who lack it today. Some studies have shown in recent years that the high cost of health care is due to the high cost of defensive medicine . â€Å"Defensive medicine† is a term best described as a way to treat a patient without the burden or worry of possible litigation should something go wrong during treatment. According to a recent survey by Jackson Healthcare and Gallup, defensive medicine costs in 2009 were between $650 - $850 billion annually. Which is also roughly 26% – 34% of the average health care cost in the United States? Also according to this survey, many physicians actually practiced more â€Å"rule out† type medicine as opposed to diagnostic treatments, due to the fear of litigation. 76% of physician’s survey stated that defensive medicine decreases a patient’s access to health care. Tort reform has been seen as a way to alleviate some of the high health care cost and a way to stop the act of â€Å"defensive medicine†. According to the American College of Surgeons, â€Å"Medical malpractice premiums have reached a crisis point in many areas of the United States, thus driving many surgeons away from high risk specialties.† In one medical practice w... ...on "Economists Against the FDA: Publications: The Independent Institute." The Independent Institute. 1 Sept. 2010. Web. 03 Mar. 2012. . Senger, Alyene. "Point-By-Point: The Case Against Obamacare." The Foundry: Conservative Policy News Blog from The Heritage Foundation. 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. . Cowen, Tyler. "Following the Money, Doctors Ration Care." The NewYork Times. 11 Dec. 2010. Web. 4 Mar. 2012. . "Maryland Health Care Commission." Legislative Reports. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. . Van Heerden, Larry. "Abolishing the FDA." Home. 1 Mar. 2007. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. .