Discussion Question 1: Medicare Regulations
Medicare is a federally regulated program that mandates compliance to its standards through state and federal oversight. One of the primary purposes of Medicare regulations is the protection of its recipients. Medicare Advantage is part of the Medicare Modernization Act, which was passed in 2003. Search the Internet by using the following keywords:
• Medicare regulations
• Centers for Medicare
• Medicaid services
On the basis of your research, answer the following questions:
• What are the purposes of Medicare regulations other than the one mentioned above?
• How will the federal government enforce compliance in the Medicare Advantage program? Which two other Medicare regulations do you think are the most important for managed care organizations and why?
• Do you think Medicare and Medicaid programs face challenges from the perspectives of providers, the government, and consumers (recipients of Medicare or Medicaid)? Why or why not?
• What are the different services provided by the Medicare and Medicaid programs? Do you feel there is a need to have two different programs? Why or why not?
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare programs such as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. Do you think Medicare Advantage programs ensure the survivability of Medicare? Why or why not?
Additionally, respond to the questions given below after reading the following information in regard to control of managed care organizations at the state level.
States have a broad range of control of managed health care organizations. The main interests of the states are to protect the interest of the consumer and regulate the structure of MCOs.
• Discuss the regulatory structure used to regulate MCOs and health insurers at the state level.
• Discuss how states came to be the primary regulators of insurance.
• Evaluate the most critical components of state oversight of HMO operations.
• Review the licensing requirements for MCOs in your state and describe the specific requirements to obtain a Certificate of Authority (COA). Compare to the requirements discussed in the course textbook.
• What are the protections available to consumers under the law in your state? Compare these protections to what is discussed in the textbook.
In your opinion, are the state regulations designed for the consumers, or are they designed for the MCOs? Use your course and text readings to support your answer.
Discussion Question 2: The Ethics of Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning
While stem cell research and human cloning are often interrelated, there are differences in these two approaches. Stem cell research has many medical inclinations for the treatment of disease. While it is the basis of human cloning, and its purpose clear for that approach, there is much debate in healthcare about where to stop with stem cell research.
Describe your current position on stem cell research and human cloning. What ethical issues are involved in stem cell research and human cloning? Do you think that any concerns are outweighed by potential benefits? Explain.
Discussion Question 3: Human Subject Research
The National Institutes of Health sets the standard for the protection of human research subject by defining regulation, policies and providing guidance. This information provides a basis for what is right and wrong in Human Subject Research. Refer to this government site.
Consider research that is conducted using human products or human subjects and respond to the following questions:
• What do you see as the ethical implications to this type of research and what might assure protection?
• Do you think it is ethical to allow a family to overrule the wishes of a patient to be an organ donor? Why or why not?