Understanding the US Health Care System

Course Description

This comprehensive course, "Understanding the US Health Care System," offers an in-depth exploration of America's complex health care landscape. Presented by HarvardX, this introductory-level course is designed to demystify the intricacies of the US health care system, focusing on critical aspects such as access, quality of care, and costs. Led by some of the nation's foremost educators and thought leaders, students will gain a thorough understanding of how the US health care system is structured, organized, delivered, and financed.

What students will learn from the course:

  • The organization, financing, and governance of the US health care system
  • Key system stakeholders and participants, both public and private
  • Essential building blocks of the US health care system, including Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, medical care delivery, pharmaceuticals, long-term care, mental health, oral health, and public health
  • Interpretation of contemporary policy controversies related to each key component of the US health care system
  • Basic components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
  • Challenges associated with reforming the US health care system
  • The US health policy-making structure and process at federal, state, and local levels

Pre-requisites or skills necessary to complete the course:

While there are no strict prerequisites, students are encouraged to read "Inside National Health Reform" by the University of California Press and the Milbank Fund (published in 2011) before starting the course. Portions of this book will be available during the course.

What the course will cover:

  • The structure and organization of the US health care system
  • Health care financing and governance
  • Public and private stakeholders in the health care system
  • Medicare and Medicaid programs
  • Private health insurance
  • Medical care delivery systems
  • Pharmaceutical industry and policies
  • Long-term care services
  • Mental health care
  • Oral health care
  • Public health initiatives
  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact
  • Health policy-making processes at different levels of government
  • Current controversies and challenges in US health care policy

Who this course is for:

This course is ideal for:

  • Students interested in health care policy and administration
  • Health care professionals seeking a broader understanding of the system
  • Policy makers and government officials involved in health care decision-making
  • Journalists and researchers covering health care topics
  • Anyone interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the US health care system and its complexities

How learners can use these skills in the real world:

The knowledge and skills gained from this course will enable learners to:

  1. Engage in informed discussions about US health care policies and reforms
  2. Develop evidence-based opinions on current and future health policy developments
  3. Navigate the complexities of the US health care system more effectively
  4. Contribute to policy-making processes at various levels of government
  5. Understand the implications of health care reforms on different stakeholders
  6. Analyze the impact of policy changes on access, quality, and costs of health care
  7. Make more informed decisions about personal health care choices and insurance options

By mastering the content of this course, students will be well-equipped to interpret and engage with the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding US health care policy, positioning themselves as informed contributors to this critical field.