[Whitney_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #776

Question Two

C) The 1619 Project made reference to the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (Bureau of Freedmen). What other 2-3 federal healthcare related policies have been enacted by the U.S. government since 1865 to 2010? Which of those policies have been most successful?

The United States government has enacted several federal healthcare policies from 1865 to 2010 for the benefit of the American people. While I believe the Affordable Care Act is one of the most effective policies to enact this legislation, it consistently receives great media and national attention. Therefore I am going to focus on the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, and the Health Insurance and Accountability Act of 1996 as both of these pieces of legislation have had a profound impact on the American healthcare system. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act seeks to protect healthcare workers who report unsafe and dangerous conditions. The law also encourages legislators to resort to medical errors while maintaining patient confidentiality. Lastly, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act established the Network of Patient Safety Databases. This Database provides evidence-based resources for providers and other entities, allowing for the analyzes of national and regional statistics. This is especially important for minority communities as this system produces data on people of color that would otherwise go unreported. For example, the Seattle Children’s Hospital leveraged its electronic health record to make drastic improvements in opioid-free surgery and reduced analgesic medication costs. This significant progress was only successful because of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, which continues to protect American citizens and health workers. For this reason, I believe the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act has been most successful as it directly affects how data is organized, reported, and influences our American healthcare system.

The second piece of legislation, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, is also an important healthcare policy. The Healthcare Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 allows American workers to carry healthcare policies from job to job. This legislation also ensures that insurers do not discriminate against policy applicants due to health problems. With the recent coronavirus pandemic, the Healthcare Portability and Accountability Act has become especially important. The CARES Act creates a paper trail for one’s health status throughout their lives, as a direct violation of the HIPAA. As a result, Health and Human Services issued a statement outlining that only family members of a patient are allowed to receive information about the sick patient. Even though the coronavirus has resulted in some leeway, the HIPPA continues to protect patient privacy. In conclusion, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 are two critical pieces of legislation that had a profound impact on the American healthcare system.

[Whitney_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #774

Question One

A) Should hospitals and healthcare facilities make a concerted effort to employ ex-prisoners? Why? What might be some of the constraints? Has anyone been successful at such a hiring practice?

Hospitals and healthcare facilities should make a concentrated effort to employ ex-prisoners to improve the health of communities, give convicted American citizens a second chance, and fill the growing number of jobs in the healthcare industry. In the United States, estimates show that nearly thirty percent of adults have a criminal history, and this number only continues to increase. Within the African American community, these statistics are even more staggering as nearly fifty percent of African American males are arrested by the age of twenty- three. Unfortunately, many American citizens with records and convicted felons have difficulty finding jobs and opportunities in a world where their past is scrutinized in background checks and criticized in society. For example, in the United States, most job applications require citizens to respond to a felony conviction question. This simple question is often a barrier to employment as some companies have a bias against those with criminal records. Until recently, this was the bleak reality for many ex-felons seeking employment. However, the growing number of healthcare jobs and the need for more workers is changing this unfortunate precedent. In 2017 Illinois became one of the first states to allow people with felony convictions to pursue healthcare licenses. This law permitted Illinois to fill essential job vacancies in their health industry while giving some American citizens another chance.

Although promising, the integration of ex-offenders into the healthcare system comes with some reservations and constraints. The healthcare system cares for the most vulnerable in our society, including the sick and elderly as a result, many states wary of ex-criminals have passed legislation in opposition. Colorado passed a law requiring a licensing board to disqualify ex-offenders with a history of drugs and unlawful sexual behavior. Despite some political and social difficulties, some healthcare systems have successfully hired ex-offenders. For instance, the John Hopkins healthcare system willing hires ex-offenders and does not run background checks until after a conditional offer of employment is made. This encourages more ex-offenders to apply to the John Hopkins healthcare system and allows the system to staff their hospitals. Overall this practice enables the hospital to fill permanent healthcare jobs and gives thousands of American citizens a second chance. In conclusion, hospitals and healthcare systems should make a concentrated effort to employ ex-prisoners for both the success of the healthcare system and Americans seeking a new life after incarceration.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by Whitney_Williams.

[Whitney_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #757

Separate to Equal Response

After watching the “From Separate to Equal: The Creation of the Truman Medical Center,” I felt energized and inspired. I began to understand the complexities of the relationship between the healthcare system and the African American community. While white patients were given adequate care at hospitals, black patients were overlooked and discriminated against. Furthermore, African Americans were weary of a system that abused African Americans for years in scientific experiments like Tuskegee. I was especially surprised to learn about the death of W.E.B DuBois’ son solely because of his physical appearance, an unfortunate reality for millions of African Americans at the time. However, I was equally encouraged by the African American communities’ response to this reality through the creation of schools and hospitals. Revolutionaries like Dr.Thomas Unthank took on the struggle of equality with bravery and ingenuity, assessing both the dire healthcare situation of African Americans in Kansas City and seeking solutions. One of Unthanks’ solutions, The John Lange Hospital, became the first hospital for African Americans in Kansas City, Missouri. Another important trailblazer Dr. Edward Perry fought great hardship to attend the Medical School of Chicago, where he took meticulous notes on surgeries and classes. He sacrificed his safety to share the important medical information he learned with the African American community. Without the courage and perseverance of Dr. Thomas Unthank and Dr.Edward Perry, countless African American lives would have been lost. I was also intrigued to learn the first integrated hospital, Queen of the World Hospital was located in Kansas City. Despite the city’s history of segregation and discrimination, the hospital was able to thrive for a short time. I found this compromising attitude as fascinating as Kansas Citys’ healthcare system evolved from one fraught with discrimination and segregation to one capable of having the nation’s first integrated hospital. In conclusion, “From Separate to Equal: The Creation of the Truman Medical Center” offers a unique perspective on African Americans’ fight for equal healthcare and the historical complexities of the system itself.

[Whitney_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #748

1619 Project Response

When reading The 1619 Project, I felt enlightened and more informed about the history of healthcare in the United States. As an aspiring healthcare lawyer and social advocate, I believe politics and history play an important role in understanding equity and equality in the United States. While reading the 1619 Project, I was especially intrigued to learn more about the origins of Universal Health Care. After the Civil War, smallpox and other health disparities constantly plagued the black community. Even though white officials knew how to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases, they refused to intervene as they feared healthy African Americans would destroy the racial hierarchy. This belief allowed government officials and white authority to manipulate policies like the Hill-Burton Act and Fair Labor Standards Act, taking away much needed support and funds from the African American community. This attitude of hatred and blatant disregard of human life was most profound to me as the color of one’s skin was the sole determinant of their value. In my opinion, this historical truth intensifies the necessity for Universal Healthcare in the United States as it is the only way to protect black life truly. As a future lawyer, is it my responsibility to understand precedents, law, and past historical support events so I may effectively advocate for the African American community and beyond.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Whitney_Williams.
• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Whitney_Williams.

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