U.S. Federal Health Care Agencies and Population Health DP

For this assessment you will research one of the fifteen U.S. federal health care agencies and discuss its role within the health care delivery system, as well as explore current changes, concerns or issues, legislative actions related to this agency. In addition, you will research and discuss an example of a health care delivery system initiative related to the concept of population health management.

Introduction

This assessment is designed to increase your overall awareness of the current role the U.S. government plays in the health care delivery system. The assessment explores the concept of population health and population health management, a new perspective being applied to health care systems.

Presently the U.S. government oversees an extensive array of health care related agencies (fifteen different federal agencies) and provides federal funding for state and local programs. It is important for all health care management professionals to gain an understanding of these agencies and how they are directly connected to, or affect operations in their organizations.

The public health system in the United States is just as extensive and often not recognized for the scope of vital responsibilities and roles it plays in assuring the health and safety of the entire population. Historically, public health and clinical medicine efforts were considered to be competitive in nature. However, over the past decade, exciting and innovative collaborative efforts have been initiated to develop health care programs designed to both prevent and reduce disease incidence rates in the U.S. population. This new business model, defined as population health, is data-driven, and strives to build innovative bridges and partnerships, and define area-specific approaches related to community needs. Population health management is focused on successfully integrating clinical care and public health efforts with an emphasis on achieving the highest quality of care at the lowest cost.

Preparation

Prepare for this assessment activity by consulting the research resources provided with this assessment.

Use the Internet and the Capella University Library to learn about the fifteen U.S. federal health care agencies, and the responsibilities and mission of each.

Choose a U.S. federal health care agency to investigate in more depth. Research current information regarding changes, concerns or issues, current legislative actions or proposals related to this agency. Utilize the following resources:

• The Wall Street Journal.
• Newsletters you subscribed to earlier in the course.
• Other current and credible sources.

Research an example of an initiative in the U.S. health care system that is implementing the principles of population health management. Utilize the following resources:

• The Wall Street Journal.
• Newsletters you subscribed to earlier in the course.
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (n.d.). http://www.ihi.org/about/news/Pages/default.aspx
• The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicines. (2015). Fifteen ‘Vital Signs’ for assessing and monitoring progress of the nation’s health identified in new IOM report. http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2015/vital-signs-core-metrics/vital-signs-news.aspx
• The Triple Aim framework on the IHI website.
• Other current and credible sources.

Requirements

Write a 5–6 page paper that consists of two parts as described below:

Part 1: U.S. Federal Health Care Agency

• Summarize the role of a specific U.S. federal health care agency.
• Describe current information regarding changes, concerns or issues, current legislative actions or proposals related to this U.S. health care agency.
• Share personal insights about this agency, relating the insights to the overall U.S. health care system and your health care management career.

Part 2: Population Health Example

• Evaluate an example of a current initiative implemented in the U.S. health care system based on the principles of population health management.
• Discuss how the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (IOM) core metrics for health and health care progress and public health management approaches are related to the initiative.
• Identify any barriers that arose during the planning and implementation or affected the outcome or current state of the implementation initiative.

Include APA-formatted citations and reference for all your sources.

Refer to the scoring guide to ensure that your work meets the grading criteria for this assessment.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Writing should be clear and well organized, with no technical writing errors, as expected of a business professional.
• APA Style: Citations and references must be formatted using current APA style.
• Length of papers: 5–6 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding the title page and reference page for each paper.
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point.