Public Health Quiz 3/7/25

Health Systems & Policy Study Guide

Health Systems

1. Iron Triangle Model

   • A concept describing healthcare's three competing aspects: cost, quality, and access. Improving one often compromises another.

2. Complexity of the U.S. Healthcare System

   • The U.S. healthcare system is complex due to multiple payers (public and private insurance), high costs, administrative burdens, and regulatory variations across states.

3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

   • The federal agency responsible for public health, medical research, and health-related policies, overseeing agencies like the CDC, FDA, and CMS.

4. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

   • A division of HHS that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), ensuring healthcare coverage for eligible individuals.

5. Role of CMS in Public Health

   • Expands healthcare access, regulates healthcare services, and enforces healthcare policies to ensure quality and affordability.

6. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

   • Regulates food safety, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and vaccines to protect public health.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

   • Focuses on disease prevention, outbreak response, and public health research.

8. Medicaid: Purpose & Impact

   • A state and federally funded program providing healthcare for low-income individuals, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities.

9. Medicare: Purpose & Impact

   • A federal health insurance program for individuals 65+ and younger people with certain disabilities.

10. Employer-Sponsored (Private) Insurance

• Health coverage provided by employers as part of employee benefits.

11. Medicare vs. Medicaid vs. Private Insurance

• Medicare: Federal program for seniors (65+) and disabled individuals.

• Medicaid: State and federal program for low-income individuals.

• Employer-Sponsored Insurance: Private coverage through employers.

Health Policy

12. Health Policy & Health Disparities

• Policies can worsen disparities by limiting access to care, increasing costs, or disproportionately impacting marginalized groups.

13. Phases of Policy Development

• Problem Identification → Policy Formulation → Policy Adoption → Implementation → Evaluation.

14. Affordable Care Act (ACA) & Private Insurance Impact

• Expanded Medicaid eligibility, created health insurance marketplaces, and prohibited insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

15. Federalism in Healthcare (Covered in Class)

• The division of power between federal and state governments in regulating healthcare policies.

16. Ethical Dilemma in IVF Policies

• State laws and political debates on embryo rights, access to fertility treatments, and insurance coverage create ethical and legal conflicts.

17. Trump vs. Harris Proposed Health Policies

• Trump: Repeal ACA, promote private market solutions, reduce Medicaid expansion.

• Harris: Expand Medicare-like public option, lower drug prices, and strengthen ACA provisions.

This guide covers key definitions and comparisons to help with your review! Let me know if you need any additional clarifications. 🚀