Which of the following best describes why states will increasingly monitor and report on quality and cost of health care?

Question

a. Citizens are increasingly complaining of high medical costs in a depressed economy.
b. Congress has been unsuccessful in reducing health care costs.
c. Taxation has decreased, resulting in fewer funds available for health care.
d. Hospitals and nursing homes are demanding increased funding.

Answer 1

ANS: B
When Congress rejected President Clinton's plan for health care in 1994, the federal government withdrew from active health planning. Most states have become very involved in various aspects of health care planning as state funding from the federal government decreased and state budgets are not increasing. States are forced to determine priorities for the resources available. Even though citizens do complain about high medical costs, this is not the reason why states are becoming more involved with health care reporting and monitoring. Although hospitals and nursing homes may want increased funding, much of this control comes from federal legislation, which is not impacted by the states. Taxation has not decreased.