Examining the Impact of Bias and Policy on US Healthcare Access

This essay examines the impact of biases, stereotypes, and explicit government policies on healthcare utilization and health outcomes in the United States. It discusses how racial, age, gender, and socioeconomic stereotypes held by healthcare workers can lead to patient mistrust and avoidance of preventive care. The essay also addresses how biases can affect the quality of care provided to minority groups and how government policies can create obstacles for the poor in accessing healthcare services. Furthermore, it explores the health disparities faced by sexual minority individuals and immigrants due to discriminatory policies and anti-immigration rhetoric. The essay concludes by highlighting the need for public policies that promote equal healthcare access and address the existing gaps in healthcare for marginalized communities, including women and people of color, while also acknowledging the limitations of current policies and the ongoing challenges in achieving health equity.

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HEALTHCARE
Introduction
This paper discusses issues that deal with United State health care system. There is a
discussion on health disparities in the United State. This paper also looks at how biases and
stereotypes and explicit government policies have led to limited health care utilization and poor
health among the minorities groups in the United State.
Part A
Quiz 4
Access to health care refers to the timely use of individual health services to attain the
best health outcomes (Grigorovich 95). Most of the people more so individuals of color face
barriers that limit or prevent access to required health care services. Limited access to health care
may increase the risk of health disparities and poor health outcomes (Zhang et al. 712). Ideally,
utilization of services of the health care shows a need for care, nonetheless, that is not the case,
for numerous reasons. There will be a discussion of how biases and stereotypes and explicit
government policies have led to limited health care utilization and poor health. Some researchers
such as Dahlhamer argue that stereotyping individuals according to their race, age, gender,
socioeconomic status, and weight can affect the way in which they access health care. For
instance, patients who are being judged by healthcare workers will not follow medical
instructions and they will tend to mistrust their doctors as well as other healthcare providers
(Zhang et al. 705). These patients are more prone to depression and hypertension. Stereotypes

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can also make individuals be more distrustful more so of their doctors. It may even make most of
the patients not to use some of the accessible preventive care such as flu vaccines hence leading
to poor health. It is essential to recognize that most of the healthcare providers and workers
explicitly endorse or hold stereotypes about some group of people such as the LGBTQ and
immigrants (Rider et al. 72). These common negative stereotypes may hindermost of these
groups from accessing most of the services provided in the healthcare hence leading to poor
health. Research conducted by most of the researchers confirmed that most of the providers of
health care services stereotype their clients. When the clients sense this bias, they often feel
dissatisfied with the kind of care which they are receiving. Some of the campaigns held by
Public health may reinforce and communicate negative stereotypes about definite groups of
people (Jaffee et al. 324). This may then lead to healthcare stereotype threat which may, in turn,
make them avoid care. An example is a situation whereby public health campaigns about brain
health in the Indian women as well as other women of color, sexual health more so in LGBTQ
community, problems of memory in older adults, and depression among women (Svare and
Jeanne 321). Such messages can reinforce the negative attitudes towards these groups of people.
This, therefore, indicates that communication barrier among the people can cause negative
attitude among the people and this may make most of them not to access most of the health care
services hence leading to poor health.
Stereotypes threats can contribute to non-adherence to the treatment plan. For instance,
African Americans, as well as other minorities in the United State, are less likely to follow the
prescribed treatment plan. This non-adherence to treatment plan set by the doctors can contribute
to poor health of most people. Also, to receive good care, individuals must look at it. Yet when
stereotype threat forms an unpleasant social climate, individuals may avoid attending to their

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providers. Most people who perceive discrimination are patients who have higher chances of
missing medical appointments and preventive medical care (Stangl et al. 26). For instance,
Individuals of color normally encounter more access barriers as well as utilize less care as
compared to Whites. For instance, among nonelderly adults, Blacks, Hispanics, and Alaska
Natives and American Indians are more likely as compared to whites to go without needed health
care (Atrash 205). Additionally, the whites are more likely to have a normal source of care than
the nonelderly Black as well as Hispanic adults.
In the current context, bias refers to the negative evaluation of a specific group and its
entire members comparative to another (Cuevas et al. 543). Bias may be expressed directly. For
instance, someone may say I like Blacks more than whites. Biases may lead to poor health
among some groups of people in that it may make a specific group of people to be despised by
other people in the community (Whitehead, John and Rob 62). It may also impact the way nurses
or doctors treat patients and care for them. Patients will have poor health in case they did not get
proper treatment from their doctors. Boulware and Ebony argue that white medical professionals
with strong racial bias will offer good healthcare services to white patients as compared to Black
patients (Dahlhamer et al. 125). We also find that most of the white doctors often deliver less
quality care to minority groups. Therefore, it is true that biases can negatively affect the fair
distribution of healthcare services.
Concern for the people who are poor remains equated with the expanding programs of the
government. On the other hand, expanding government is often good for the poor. And limiting
government often affects those that are living below the poverty line. The truth is that, in most
cases, explicit government policy may make it hard for those who are poor access to healthcare
services (Philbin et al. 36). The government policies, at the federal, local, and State levels can

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negatively or positively affect the distribution of healthcare services. Some government policies
create artificial as well as unnecessary obstacles for those who are poor thereby preventing them
from accessing healthcare services. The public policy establishes by the government can affect
access of health care services either positively or negatively. When there are no government
policies that can address the problems of the poor, fragmentation gaps, inaccessibility of health
records, duplication of care, as well as misalignment of patient and physician incentives.
Therefore, it is true that explicit government policies at the States, federals, and local levels can
make some groups of people to have limited access to services. Some of the policies can also
help in improving the lives of people. For instance, the policy that aims at the development of
health care agencies and clinics will ensure that all people, especially women, have access to
healthcare services.
QUIZ 3
It is true that in the United States, sexual minority individuals show higher rates of mental
and physical problems as compared to heterosexual counterparts- including cardiovascular
disease, depression and substance use disorders. On the other hand, transgender populations
show poorer health as compared to Cisgender or heterosexual populations-including thoughts of
suicide and mental health distress (Philbin et al. 25). Studies show that consistent, unique
stressors encountered by these groups contributed to health disparities. The federal, local and
States government established public policies of which some inhibit the rights granted to gender
and sexual minorities.
United State Public policies contributed to social environments, alleviating or worsening
the stigma linked to a sexual minority (Jennings 10). For instance, research has indicated that
gay, as well as bisexual people living in an area without appropriate policies protecting them

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from hate crimes and employment, have higher chances of contacting psychological disorders.
Additionally, after the implementation of State policy that prevents same-sex marriage, both the
rate of alcohol use and psychological disorders increased in most of the States. A supportive
environment characterized by policies prohibiting discrimination and granting equal rights
reduces stress and stigma, serving a suitable protective role for physical and mental health. Some
studies conducted in the United State indicated that the enactment of policies allowing the
marriage of the same- sex was linked to a 7% decrease in teenage suicide attempts (Bambra et al.
265). Some researchers also argue that allowing same-sex marriage in the United State was
associated with reduced rates of looking for medical as well as mental health care in sexual
minority men. Similarly, workplaces that have executed supportive policies for LGBT have
benefited from enhanced health among those workers, and greater job satisfaction, job
commitment, and productivity.
The immigration laws and policies affected both health outcomes and access to
healthcare services among immigrants. Immigration policies and laws explicitly restrict or
provide access to healthcare (Gaskin et al. 523). There are several laws that prohibit or restrict
immigrants from accessing normal health services, as well as emergency care. In specific, these
policies explicitly specified that undocumented immigrants in the United State should not look
for health services. These policies also contained some clauses that prevented immigrants from
accessing the necessary health services. Some of the public policies also exclude the Immigrants
from accessing vital services such as STI and HIV services which are being offered by
government agencies as well as non-profit institutions receiving government funding (Williams
and Selina 765). There is also fear of deportation as well as harassment from some of the
authorities. These made most of the people not to access health services hence leading to poor

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health. The existence of anti-immigration rhetoric impacted the behaviors and attitudes of the
health providers towards attending to the needs of the immigrants. Most of the providers more so
in places where these policies of anti-immigration were executed, discriminated against
immigrants by providing limited services to them.
It is true that in Unite State, individuals of color suffer from issues linked to health than
those of their White counterparts. The government should establish a public policy that aimed at
addressing the existing gaps among the people of color in the United State. The primary goals of
these public policies are to improve the health of people of color. Some of the policies have
recognized the right to equal health of all people regardless of the race and minority group. For
instance, the policy implemented for equal medical care. This policy improves the living
standard of both men and women of color in the United State. The negative effect of some of
these public policies established by the federal, local and States government is that the policies
did not solve all the problems that are being faced by the people of color.
The public policies initiated by both the federal, local and State government help in
improving the life of Women in the United States. This is because most States began to provide
equal health needs as well as service for all populations. The American government support
Family planning. This Federal program provides family planning as well as related preventive
services. The main purpose of this program is to provide effective family planning services and
methods. This program enabled most of the families to obtain high-quality services. The
establishment of federal health reform also helps in improving the health of most women has it
solve health challenges that are common to women. The policy also provided opportunities for
improving access to effective treatment and care. The provision of health insurance helps women
to obtain proper treatment more so for chronic diseases. Most of the women were able to

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obtained treatment on dangerous diseases. The only problem of this public policy is that many
women remained uninsured. According to some researchers, approximately 56% of women that
are not uninsured did not get basic care because of cost (Mendoza et al. 163). Though insurance
coverage lowers the cost of treatment for women, the only problem is that a smaller percentage
of them have health insurance. The introduction of MOMMIES act by Corey Booker will also
expand coverage more so for pregnant women that are covered by Medicaid. This policy will
give black mamas full respect as well as resources to sustain them during as well as after
pregnancy.
Quiz 1
An open system refers to a system that commonly exchanges feedback with the
surrounding external environment. In open systems, inputs, outputs, processes, goals, evaluation,
and assessment, as well as learning are all essential. Other aspects that are more essential to open
systems are the boundaries, equifinality and external environment. In the United State, religion
and culture influence the healthcare system. The issues related to culture and religion affects the
performance of the healthcare system (Bloom et al. 256). For instance, culture affects
perceptions of illness, health as well as death, approaches to health promotion, beliefs about
causes of sickness, as well as the kinds of treatments people prefer. Also, religious or spiritual
beliefs can affect the decisions that individuals make about their illness and health as well as the
treatment choices that each and everyone makes. Therefore, it is true that religion and culture
influence how people understand the concepts of health and they use vital information from the
healthcare system.
The description stated above (an open system in healthcare) helps most people to
understand how race and gender may lead to healthcare disparities hence affecting the treatment

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of most vulnerable groups in the communities. It also enables most people to obtain information
from the healthcare system related to race and gender. This vital information can be used by
most professionals to establish favorable policies that will ensure proper treatment are provided
in the healthcare system.
An open system allows various experts, government and other non-government agencies
to contribute and make decisions that can improve the accessibility of healthcare services equally
among LGTBQ communities, people of color, women, and immigrants that are being neglected
and mistreated in terms of service delivery by healthcare providers and workers. It also enables
each system together with its subsystems to adapt to external and internal demands as well as
feedback. The external demand in healthcare institution includes environmental factors such as
population characteristics, legislation, and labor markets. Healthcare institutions can easily
initiate policies that address inequalities that affect the entire Healthcare organization. Also, the
institutions will easily response to negative feedback and other factors that affect the
performance and delivery of services to all people. The free exchange of information can also
enable healthcare professionals to understand the problems that affect minority groups in terms
of access to healthcare services. For instance, when the patients complain that most of the
healthcare providers in particular organizations practice racial discrimination, it will allow the
management to establish appropriate policies to prevent the practice of such behaviors. Therefore
it is true that an open system can allow organizations to initiate policies and laws that can easily
solve the challenges that affect the healthcare organizations. This is because an open system
allows for the free flow of information. The external and internal interaction can also enhance the
decision-making process within the organization. The federal, local and State governments

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should, therefore, enact favorable policies that control the access of healthcare services in the
United States in order to prevent healthcare disparities more so among the minority groups.
Part B
Public Charge
The term public charge is mostly used by United State immigration officials. The United
States Department of Homeland security defined Public charge as a person who remains
considered primarily reliant on the government mainly for subsistence by either
institutionalization for long-term care at the expenses of the government or receipt obtained from
public cash. Determination of a public charge affects legal immigrants in quest of adjustment of
immigration status as well as those looking for a visa to come into the United States. The public
charge was initially used to exclude individuals who are unwilling and unable to support
themselves as well as other close family members. The public charge can be used by the
government to prevent dangerous activities such as stealing from taking place. It also enables
low-income individuals to obtain public benefits that they can use in supporting the safety, well-
being, and health of their families. The term public charge is essential to the course because it
enables people to have a good understanding of the United State immigration law.
Cultural collision
Cultural collision refers to a clash in values or culture. Cultural collusion remains a
situation that takes place in a classroom where learners misbehave whereas teachers implicitly
usher out students from urban schools who do not convey the required cultural/social capital to
school (Liu 135). Cultural collision enables people to understand issues relating to a clash in
values or culture. The term cultural collision is essential to the course because it introduces
learners to issues involving culture. For example, issues involving effect of cultural collision.
Medical mistrust

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To understand the meaning of medical mistrust, it is important to define the true meaning
of trust and mistrust (Underhill et al. 534). To trust someone means to become dependent and
vulnerable on the other individual’s motivations and intentions. In health care, essential trust
relationships are between the public, patients, providers, and family member. On the other hand,
mistrust refers to suspicion or lack of trust. Mistrust in healthcare remains linked to the
increment of medical complains, negligence as well as lawsuit cases. Medical mistrust stems
mainly from institutional racism and historic events that propagate discrimination in society
thereby causing the disbelief of different people in a healthcare system as well as its providers. It
helps in understanding the importance of trust. The term medical mistrust is crucial to the course
because it helps the students to understand the importance of maintaining trust among the
patients, healthcare providers, and other parties. It also enables students to understand things that
contribute to mistrust in healthcare.
Whistleblowers
Whistleblowers are people who expose any kind of activity or information that is
unethical or deemed illegal, or not allowed within an organization. The organization, in this case,
may be public or private. The information that may be reported can be grouped: violation of
organization rules/policy, regulation, law, or threat to national security/ public interest, as well as
corruption, and fraud. Whistleblowers are essential because they alert the general public to abuse
and financial fraud in institutions, and potential environmental disasters. Whistleblowers enable
the students to recognize the importance of reporting poor practice in the organization.
The pay gap between female and male physicians
It refers to the average difference between the total amount earned by a male physician as
well as a female physician who is working. The male physician is generally paid more than
female physicians. This term can help in improving the delivery of health care in United State.

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The term pay gap is essential because it better awareness as well as understanding of gender as
well as gender identity in the workplace.
Eugenics and forced sterilization in the US
Forced sterilization, programs refer to government policies which coerced individuals to
undergo surgical and other sterilization. In United State, California led the nation in the of people
who undergo force sterilization. The government often performed forced sterilization without the
consent and knowledge of the people. The United State used these programs to control the rate of
population in the country. For instance, the southern states used sterilization to control African
American population. Other bases of forced sterilization have included growth management and
sex discrimination. Eugenics is the set of practices and beliefs which aim at enhancing the
genetic quality of the people. It played an important role in the culture and history of the U.S.
The term is important to the course because it can help students who are planning to work in the
healthcare system. It can also help in future interactions with other people.
Health disparities vs. health inequalities
The definition of health disparities is similar to health inequalities. Disparity refers to
difference. They refer to differences in terms of health outcomes, disease, and access to health
care. Health care inequalities are used to show systemic, avoidable differences. Health inequities
remained rooted mostly in social injustices. Wealth and income inequalities are major causes of
health inequalities. Wealth and income inequalities influence other factors for examples
smoking, housing as well as alcohol use. Reducing poverty as well as inequalities in wealth and
income is essential in decreasing health inequalities. The term is important because it provides
additional information on factors that affect healthcare.
Weathering

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Weathering refers to the theory that states that racial inequality uses a cumulative toll
particularly on the health of people of color, leading to a greater burden of illness. Weathering is
quite essential because it handles issues that relate to racial inequality in health care. It also
influences today’s health. The term weathering is important to this course because it helps
students in understanding how racial inequality affected the health care system.
Conclusion
It is true that United State Healthcare system remains unique among advanced
industrialized nations. Health care refers to the timely use of individual health services to attain
the best health outcomes. Health care facilities are operated and owned by private firms. A larger
percentage of the health care spending was being funded via different programs such as the
Veterans Health Administration, Medicare, as well as the Children’s Health Insurance Program
(Williams et al. 155). This paper also discussed some of the public policies and laws that may
improve health care services in the United State. Some of the laws and policies discussed in the
paper include the immigration laws and policies as well as family planning.