MHA Health Policy and Advocacy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal program provides health insurance coverage to individuals aged 65 and older and certain disabled persons?
- Medicaid
- CHIP
- Medicare (Correct answer)
- TRICARE
Correct answer: Medicare
Medicare is the federal health insurance program established in 1965 primarily serving Americans aged 65 and older and qualifying disabled individuals.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a 'certificate of need' (CON) law in healthcare?
- To certify physicians for specialty practice
- To regulate the expansion of healthcare facilities and services to control costs and prevent duplication (Correct answer)
- To require hospitals to provide charity care
- To mandate electronic health record adoption
Correct answer: To regulate the expansion of healthcare facilities and services to control costs and prevent duplication
CON laws require healthcare providers to obtain state approval before adding beds, services, or major equipment, aiming to control costs and ensure equitable access.
Question 3: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual mandate required most Americans to do what?
- Choose a primary care physician
- Purchase health insurance or pay a penalty (effectively removed in 2019) (Correct answer)
- Enroll in a health savings account
- Participate in a wellness program
Correct answer: Purchase health insurance or pay a penalty (effectively removed in 2019)
The ACA's individual mandate required most Americans to maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage or pay a shared responsibility payment, though the penalty was reduced to $0 from 2019.
Question 4: What is 'single-payer' healthcare, as debated in US health policy?
- A system where patients pay all costs out-of-pocket
- A system in which one entity (typically the government) collects premiums and pays all healthcare claims (Correct answer)
- Insurance provided exclusively through employers
- A model where only one hospital exists per region
Correct answer: A system in which one entity (typically the government) collects premiums and pays all healthcare claims
In a single-payer system, one public entity finances all healthcare services, eliminating multiple competing insurance companies and their associated administrative overhead.
Question 5: Which agency is responsible for approving new drugs and medical devices for safety and efficacy in the United States?
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- The Joint Commission (TJC)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Correct answer)
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Correct answer: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and Center for Devices and Radiological Health review and approve pharmaceuticals and medical devices before they can be marketed in the US.
Question 6: What is 'health equity' in the context of US health policy?
- Equal distribution of hospital beds across states
- The attainment of the highest level of health for all people, eliminating disparities linked to social determinants (Correct answer)
- Equal insurance premium rates for all demographics
- Standardized physician salaries across specialties
Correct answer: The attainment of the highest level of health for all people, eliminating disparities linked to social determinants
Health equity means every person has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible, requiring addressing systemic barriers related to race, income, geography, and other social factors.
MHA Health Policy and Advocacy 1
Which federal program provides health insurance coverage to individuals aged 65 and older and certain disabled persons?