•What are the key components of the U.S. health care system?

•Have the components changed as a result of the Affordable Care Act?

•How are these components organized?

•How do the interests, concerns, or foci of these multiple components intersect with and/or differ with one another?

•How have philosophical, economic, political, and cultural influences helped shape this system as it is today?

With this in mind, write a 2- to 3-page paper in which you:

•Describe two or more defining characteristics of the U.S. system that you believe are particularly important when considering the delivery of health care in this country. Explain why.

•Articulate how these defining characteristics reflect philosophical, economic, political, and/or cultural influences particular to the United States.

•Describe potential implications of these characteristics and how they affect health care administrators, including opportunities for change within health care organizations or the delivery system.