Stakeholder Dynamics
Name
MHA 601 Principles of Health Care
John Saindon
July 8, 2013
Stakeholder Dynamics
The growing increase of individuals without healthcare insurance is causing great concern. Consumers, however, are not the only ones affected; other stakeholders including hospitals, physicians, and employers are also share in this obstacle. There is a higher probability that the uninsured will not receive adequate care or treatment due to costs alone. At the very least, if employers offered a more affordable healthcare plan and/or preventative health screenings for their employees, it could greatly assist in one’s health monitoring, keep them productive in the workplace, and employers and other stakeholders in the chain would see no negative effects.
Impact on Cost
Stakeholder groups in this case study include hospitals, physicians, employers, patients, third-party payers (insurers), and the government. Three areas that affect stakeholders in healthcare are cost, quality, and access. Rather than reducing healthcare costs for uninsured patients, they are expected to pay sky-rocketing costs out-of-pocket. According to Wieden (2009), “the working uninsured workers are making only $8-$12 per hour. This income range means that other pressing financial obligations are a higher priority than “optional” expenses like health insurance.” Those making that level of income will be unable to finance healthcare costs especially when they have other concerns and obligations such as food, rent, transportation, and other bills.
More and more people (mainly those uninsured) are visiting the emergency room, fearing that they would be turned away otherwise. Reasons why many consumers are uninsured are not necessarily due to personal finances or high premiums; their employers many not offer health coverage to begin with. Perhaps the company’s budget may not allow such expenditures for its employees or the employer simply does not offer any health or dental plans. In the...