3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This course examines the political origins and historical development of the US health care system. We will investigate the unique public-private structure of the US health care system and the policy and political challenges of lowering costs and increasing quality and access. Students will gain a broad understanding of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as the system of employer-based insurance. The course will also explore the institutional hurdles and political forces that have shaped past and current efforts to reform the American health care system – with particular attention given to the Affordable Care Act. Students will debate competing policy ideas for future reform and use lessons gleaned from the history of American health care reform to understand the potential direction of policy and political change following the Affordable Care Act. Patrick Henry Post Doc.