Chapter 14: Health Care System: Function

Health care Financing The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs. CMS provides health insurance for over 93+ million Americans through Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. Visit the CMS web site. First click on "Medicare" and then select "Medicare - General Information" and then "Medicare Program - General Information." Follow the same steps for "Medicaid." After reading these two sections, write a 2-page report on who qualifies, who pays, and the benefits of each program. Visit the Medicare and Medicaid web site

Canada has provided its legal residents with universal health insurance coverage since 1972 through a program, Called Medicare, that is jointly financed by their federal government and the provincial and territorial governments. Visit the Canadian Health web site. Click on "Health Care System," then "Canada's Health Care System," the "Health Expenditures." After reading this section, compare and contrast the costs of Canada's system versus the costs of the U.S. system as presented in Chapter 14. Canadian Health Care System

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created by the Medicare bill signed by President Bush on December 8, 2003 and are designed to help individuals save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis. Visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury web site that explains health savings accounts (HSAs). Select "About HSAs" and read the information presented. After reading the material, write a one-page paper indicating whether or not you feel all Americans should have a HSA, then defend your response. Health Savings Accounts