ATI RN
Future Economic Needs of the US Healthcare System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which best describes the first government step in trying to stop constantly rising costs?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first efforts to control costs were made by the federal government when Medicare hospital reimbursement was based on a prospective payment system. Payment would be based on a classification system that identified costs according to diagnosis and client characteristics. Restricting insurance companies to add new members to their plan was not part of the first steps to try to stop constantly rising costs.
Question 2 of 5
Which best describes why so many Americans continue to engage in unhealthy behaviors?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Society sees insurance as an economic shield protecting against all disease and illness. The belief in cure rather than prevention, combined with this financial safety net, encourages society to become a passive participant in health care. The pervasive societal thought is 'I don't have to worry; I have insurance.' Americans are aware of which behaviors are unhealthy, have knowledge on how to change their behavior, and are concerned about health, but insurance has allowed them to take a passive approach to health.
Question 3 of 5
Which was a major change after Medicare began a prescription drug benefit?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: As with other health care services, once a funding source has been established, usage and costs increase. Thus, the number of prescriptions ordered increased. For 2016, the U.S. expenditure for pharmaceuticals was about 10% of health care expenditures, and these expenditures continue to rise.
Question 4 of 5
Which action would help decrease the total health care costs in the United States?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The billions of dollars spent on health care and struggles for control between providers, consumers, and health care organizations have increased the risk of fraud and abuse. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates that health care fraud costs the U.S. tens of billions of dollars annually. Thus, decreasing the fraud and abuse in the system would have the largest impact over any of the other proposed actions.
Question 5 of 5
Which best describes how the federal government determines which projects are awarded special funding for health care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Allocation of federal resources is based on societal priorities, such as Healthy People 2020. Legislative priority, priority within health care organizations, and priority within individual states are not as important for federal funding as the societal priorities outlined in Healthy People 2020.