Analysis of Massachusetts’ Health Care System :: essays research papers

Analysis of Massachusetts’ Health Care System Merna Chung   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Massachusetts is located in the northeastern section of the United States with a land area of 7 ,838 sq. miles. It is nicknamed the Bay State. The total population of Massachusetts is 6,016,425. Massachusetts has a white majority with the protection of the rights of minorities. There is no single body responsible for making and enforcing health care policy. The majority of the population is White 5,405,374 ( 89.8 % ) ; Blacks 300,130 ( 5.0 % ) ; Hispanic 287,549 ( 4.8 % ) ; Asian 143,392 ( 2.4 % ) ; and the American Indian 12,241 ( 0.2 % ). The median age is 33.4 years. 22.5 % is under 18 and 13.6 % is over 65 years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The major industries are Health Care , tourism, education , farming , and fishing making this state more rural than urban. It is not economically depressed because tourism has become an important factor in the economy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Health care is a major industry in Massachusetts. It has seen a rapid growth in managed care organizations in recent years. These organizations strive to deliver high quality health care in a cost – effective manner by using our health care premiums to contract with doctors and hospitals. Two – thirds to three quarters of Massachusetts residents receive their health care through managed care organizations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many health care systems and managed care organizations in Massachusetts. To name a few - Caregroup Health Care System ; Northeast Health Systems ; Partners Health Care Systems , Inc. Aetna Health Care ; Cigna Health Care of Massachusetts ; ConnectiCare of Massachusetts ; Fallon Community Health Plan ; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care , Inc. ; Health New England , Inc.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In general the population of Massachusetts is very healthy considering that there are so many health care organizations. Massachusetts General Hospital was founded in 1811 and is the third oldest general hospital in the United States and the oldest and largest in New England. This medical center has 820 beds and offers highly sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic care in every specialty and subspecialty of medicine and surgery. Massachusetts General Hospital Admits approximately 35,000 in patients each year and handles more than 1 million visits in its outpatient programs at the main campus and at its four health centers. Annually the emergency department at the main campus handle about 80,000 visits.