Terms Comparison Paper Essay Example for Free

Terms Comparison Paper Essay Within the world of health care economics, the United States â€Å"for-profit† health care system, strife with inflated costs and barriers to access, is in a process of reform. Rising insurance premiums, capitation, and market competition that discourage the consumption of unnecessary services currently reward providers for their focus on acute, episodic treatments, rather than encouraging improved health outcomes or disease prevention. The supplier-induced market has forced medical providers to base treatment recommendations on economic necessity. Complex billing and insurance operations have caused administrative costs to skyrocket. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to correct these inefficiencies by reducing personal health care costs, improving community health, and increasing access to quality care. The following discussion will examine the interplay of capital resources, Meaningful Use, and financial incentives within the world of health care economics and system reform. Capital Resources Capital resources refer to assets used by a health care organization that facilitate the delivery of services. As the United States’ health care system evolves from an institution dependent on the acquisition of revenues from hospital admissions and procedures to one focused on managing health and wellness, the careful utilization and deployment of capital resources is critical to economic growth. Computer programs are a beneficial capital resource that supports the practice of medicine, such as computerized order entry or clinical decision support systems. For example, a computerized order entry system reduces the duplication of diagnostic testing while clinical decision support systems help providers manage chronic conditions. Industry experts agree the adoption of health care information technology (HIT) is necessary for improving quality and efficiency, although, as of 2006, only 12% of physicians and 11% of hospitals invested in technological improvements to their capital resources (Congress, 2008). Meaningful Use Meaningful Use refers to standards of quality demonstrated when using electronic health records (EHR) to deliver services. Traditionally, quality improvement initiatives evaluated services on a case-by-case basis; for example, was a procedure performed properly, were there complications, was  the patient satisfied, and was the provider properly trained? The ACA’s movement towards health care reform expands the focus on reducing individual errors to addressing system performance and community health. Through data capture and sharing, health care organizations gain the ability to use this information to analyze and advance clinical processes. For instance, through the aggregation of real-time patient data early warning systems can reduce medical emergencies, transitions to intensive care, and mortality rates. Even though the ACA does not mandate the adoption and Meaningful Use of EHRs, after 2015, all Medicare providers not participating in the EHR incentive program may be sub ject to financial penalties (Impact, 2012). Financial Incentives Financial incentives refer to monetary rewards and penalties offered to health providers for creating a stronger primary care system that expands access, provides improved quality, and delivers better health results. Under the current fee-for-service system, providers do not receive payments for time spent with a patient discussing medical histories, alternative treatment options, concerns, between visit follow-ups, or even care coordination and management; instead, reimbursements occur through procedures, such as surgeries or diagnostic testing. Under ACA, primary care physicians receive a temporary increase in both Medicare and Medicaid payments. Financial incentives are also available for providers who encourage their patients to obtain preventative care services and for patients, through the elimination of coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments for approved preventative services and tests, such as blood pressure and cancer screenings. Moreover, the ACA Medicaid expansion will p rovide over 32 million people with health coverage, resulting in improved health and less uncompensated care (Abrams, Nuzum, Mika, Lawlor, 2011). Discussion Within the world of health care economics, access to health care services becomes restricted through a fee-for-service model that authorizes third-party payers to prioritize reimbursements for the delivery of acute, episodic treatment over preventative care and wellness. As purchasers, patients have little ability to evaluate the quality of services received or  negotiate fair prices. The ACA serves as an advocate, shifting the focus of the health care system from personal health to community health. As part of this initiative, providers receive financial rewards for investing in technological improvements, such as EHR adoption. Through the development of a national HIT infrastructure, capital resource investments enable data capture and sharing. When combined with Meaningful Use incentives, providers receive encouragement to create real-time monitoring solutions to improve health and reduce costs. Together, the ACA offers a path where primary care providers have the means to devel op a stronger health care system that provides expanded access, improved quality, and increased wellness. Conclusion The United States â€Å"for-profit† health care system, conflicted with inflated costs and barriers to access, is in a process of reform. The ACA aims to correct these market failures by reducing costs, improving health, and increasing access to quality care. The change in focus from reducing clinical errors to addressing system performance and community health is an essential aim of the ACA. Through the adoption of HIT, health care providers strengthen their capital resources and increase their ability to deliver quality, cost-effective care. Once adopted, Meaningful Use incentivizes the use of community health data to establish real-time monitoring programs that detect the need for medical intervention. The ACA offers several economic initiatives to encourage providers to evolve from a for-profit mentality to one focused on health and wellness. The economics behind health care reform will redefine health care demands and the types of services delivered. Over time, the focus on preventative care and wellness will reduce the demand for costly treatments, lowering national health care costs. References Congress of the United States, Congressional Budget Office. (2008). Evidence on the costs and benefits of health information technology (2976). Retrieved from website: http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/91xx/doc9168/05-20-healthit.pdf Impact Advisors. (2012). Meaningful use stage 2: Understanding timing and penalties. Retrieved from website: http://www.impact-advisors.com/assets/news/document/ IA_Primer_on_MU_Stage_2_Timing_and_Penalties.pdf Abrams, M., Nuzum, R., Mika, S., Lawlor, G. (2011). Realizing health reform’s potential. The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/ Publications/Issue%20Brief/2011/Jan/1466_Abrams_how_ACA_will_strengthen_primary_care_reform_brief_v3.pdf

The Pros and Cons of Language Translation :: Pro Con Essays

To answer the question above we first have to define what is actually meant by translation before we are able to think about the limits and advantages of translation. Translation can be described as an expression of a sense from one language to another as well as a transmission of a written or spoken language into another. Translation is since the beginning of human culture an important item of understanding between different countries. So the â€Å"Stone of Rosette† made it possible to decipher the ancient Egypt language. But here we already see the limits of translation. We never will be able to understand all their feelings. Later on, the translations of the old Greek and Latin authors have influenced all western Europe countries and have let to the grandiose works of Shakespeare for example. Here we see the great advantage translations have brought to all Europe. As the statement in the title says, translation offers us the experience and attitudes of another culture or mentality. When for example reading books from typically English authors like Agatha Christie or George Orwell in German or any other language, we learn something about the culture or mentality, because the good description as well as the feeling of being in Britain at the present time, makes this possible. From this we come to a point which is even more important, the transport of culture and understanding between peoples. A good example for this is the book â€Å"Uncle Toms Hut† which had enforced the fight against slavery world wide but was hardly able to cause political influence. This shows again the limits of translation. On the other side we can not imagine a world without the translation of literary master pieces from all countries, mentioned only the great Russian, German, English and French authors red all over the world. Here we see the problems and limits of translation very closely. A good translation not only transports the sense but also the choice of words and the way of expressing. Especially for translations of high standing literature the translator should be home in both languages. The translator often finds his limit with poems. An other example to show the limits of translation are technical items, which were produced in China or Korea. As we do not speak any Chinese or Korean we are not able to understand what we should do before the first use.

Female Foeticide in India

What is female foeticide?The act of aborting or terminating a foetus while it’s still in the womb, because it is female, is known as female foeticide. This can be done after determining the sex of the child before it’s born, through ultrasound scans. Although, sex determination in India is illegal, the practice is rampant and has become a multi-million dollar industry. Coupled with prospective parents desperate for a boy child, and physicians who are carrying out these abortions, female foeticide has become a shameful and shocking reality of our nation. What is the main cause of female foeticide?For centuries, families across many parts of India have regarded a male child as the preferred of the two sexes. There have been many social, financial, emotional and religious reasons for this preference and while times have changed, many of these reasons and beliefs continue to remain. Today, some of the key reasons that exist for the preference of a male child are as follows: The tradition of paying dowry at the time of a daughter’s marriage is alive and kicking. This amount can be so huge that many parents will go to extreme lengths to avoid having a daughter in the first place. A son is seen as someone who can earn and care for his parents in their later years, while a daughter will get married and go away.A son can carry on the family name, while a daughter becomes part of her husband’s family. Girls are seen as consumers, whereas boys are seen as producers. Many families consider it a status symbol to have a son, and a point of shame to have a daughter. Often, the pressure to bear a male child on the woman is so great that she herself might choose to get sex determination done and abort the baby if it’s a girl. Illiteracy, poverty and the tag of ‘burden’ that is assigned to a girl child, makes the desire for a male child even stronger.Modern technology has made it very easy to determine the sex of the child while it ’s still in the womb, giving parents-to-be the option of aborting the foetus and continuing to try to conceive till they get a male child. While sex determination has been banned by the Indian government, it does not stop families from going to great lengths to find out anyway. Not only are there plenty of scanning centres that reveal this information, many of the wealthier families fly the pregnant mother to neighbouring countries  where sex determination is legal, to find out the gender of the baby. Once the gender of the baby is known, families that are keen to have a baby boy choose to abort the female foetus. The law on aborting is also strict, and the Indian government allows it only under certain circumstances.Therefore, by determining the sex of the baby and aborting it because it’s a girl, the parents as well as the participating physicians are breaking two major laws.What impact does female foeticide have on the sex ratio?Sex ratio refers to ratio of female s to males in a given region. Practices like female foeticide and female infanticide (killing a baby girl after she is born) have had an adverse effect on the sex ratio of a nation and gives rise to further social evils. As per the Indian Census 2011 report, the sex ratio of India (females per 1000 males) is as follows: Average India sex ratio – 933Rural sex ratio – 946 Urban sex ratio – 900 State with highest female sex ratio – Kerala – 1058 State with lowest female sex ratio – Haryana – 861 What are the long-term impacts of female foeticide?The most important impact of female foeticide is the skewed ratio it gives rise to. The dearth of females leads to other complications like female trafficking, kidnappings and in increase in assault and rape against women. Female foeticide is a horrific and illegal practice that has got to be stopped. The way to do this is by implementation of stronger laws and bringing about a change in the mind -set of our countrymen – uphill tasks, but absolutely crucial nevertheless.

Cell Phones, Pagers And The Pda - 1267 Words

Abstract The recent advancements in the technology have made the coupling of the powerful processors along with the memory system very easy with the wireless communications and also high resolution based display to the wrist watch. This incorporation of the new technologies to the wrist watch has led to development of the smart watch technology. This smart watch has been specified in the name of wearable computer. People can be easily being in touch with the recent technologies and the on-going communication with the help of this smart watch. In case of the devices like mobile phones, pagers and the PDA they must be initially opened and then only they can be accessed. The instant-on paradigm used by these devices is the main success†¦show more content†¦Current watches are highlights on SMS service, remote control and evaluate the movements by internal accelerometer.One of the first smartwatches, with camera, voice control an notifications. You can see you hav an email, but are able to read it. The smartwatches on the other hand have taken to the next level where the instantly-viewable paradigm is used. The chance of misplacing the watches is also very less when compared to that of the mobile phones and pagers as these smart watches will be kept on the wrists. Despite of the different advantages offered by smart watch technology, there are several challenges that must be addressed while designing a smart watch technology. The design of the smart watch must be based on the small screen where there is no space for the input devices or for the batteries. The value provided to the smart watch platform mainly depends on the way of identifying proper solutions to all these challenges. This report covers the main technologies that are required while developing the smart watch. Along with these technologies, the main challenges that haveto be addressed during the smart watch design process are also covered.The new watch devices which are introduced in the market d o not support functions to estimating and evaluate personal activities in terms of software and hardware. That’s due to new watches needs pairing device to communicate with other devices. It has problem with