Deck 8: Health Reform: Controlling Costs

Question 1

Despite ranking number 1 in per capita health care spending, where does the United States rank in overall life expectancy?

A) 10^th
B) 23^rd
C) 36^th
D) 50^th

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Much of the controversy in the United States about our health care system relates to:

A) Poor infant mortality despite near universal health care access
B) High per capita costs, geographic variation, and poor health outcomes
C) Transportation to health care facilities in rural areas
D) Better health outcomes than our peer countries, but at a higher cost

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In 2012, total health care spending in the United States was estimated at:

A) $1.2 trillion
B) $2.8 trillion
C) $3.5 trillion
D) $5.4 trillion

Answer 3

B

Question 4

In 2012, per capita health care spending in the U.S. was estimated at:

A) $5000
B) $7000
C) $9000
D) $12,000

Question 5

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects total health care spending in 2023 to exceed:

A) $3.0 trillion
B) $4.0 trillion
C) $5.0 trillion
D) $9.0 trillion

Question 6

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects per capita health care spending in 2023 to exceed:

A) $10,000
B) $14,000
C) $20,000
D) $25,000

Question 7

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Synthesis Project, which of the following is responsible for more than half of the increases in health care spending?

A) Larger health care networks
B) Medical Technology
C) Research advances
D) Pharmaceuticals

Question 8

In 2009, highest per capita health care expenditures were seen in which of the following states?

A) Texas
B) Alaska
C) Florida
D) Pennsylvania

Question 9

Geographic healthcare differences observed in the Dartmouth Atlas, may be attributable to:

A) Differences in incidence rates of common illnesses
B) Rural vs. urban differences
C) Health care practice variation
D) Reimbursement differences between regions

Question 10

An initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine that aims to improve healthcare quality by improving conversations between patients and physicians is called:

A) Let's Talk about Healthcare
B) Choosing Wisely
C) Community Connections
D) Patients First

Question 11

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2014, more than half of people responding to a poll about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) had a negative view of the law.

Question 12

It is estimated that 20% of U.S. healthcare spending is from 1% of patients, those with three or more chronic conditions.

Question 13

Comparisons between the United States and peer countries demonstrates that U.S. per capita health care spending is more than double the amount of many of our peers.

Question 14

Since 1980, personal health care (out-of-pocket) spending has increased by 50%.

Question 15

Experts contend that as much as one-fifth of all healthcare spending may be due to redundant or unnecessary care.

Question 16

Almost one-third of Medicare spending can be attributed to costs of health care in the last two years of life.

Question 17

Studies of geographic variation in health care showed that levels of health care may be more related to where they live rather than what care they prefer.

Question 18

In 2010, in one research study, the chance that a patient with advanced cancer died in the hospital varied from 13% to 50% depending on which health care facility they received care.

Question 19

One area of controversy during the Congressional debate about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) included the debate about discussing end-of-life care.

Question 20

Insurance companies and health economists agree that government underfunding is the root of health care "cost shifting."

Question 21

The Dartmouth Atlas, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services public data set, and other sources of publically-available data will help researchers and policy makers understand causes of geographic differences in health care spending.

Question 22

Information about healthcare prices is readily available to the public health policy makers.

Question 23

There is currently debate over whether health system mergers will reduce or increase health care costs.

Question 24

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are geographically located health care systems for patients with private insurance.

Question 25

The idea of using "states as laboratories" has provided insight into the effectiveness of innovative health care initiatives.

Question 26

One strategy linking health care and public health is in the prevention of chronic conditions, a major contributor to health care costs.

Question 27

One important role of public health in health reform is to link population-based prevention to health care.

Question 28

Which of the following factors contribute significantly to current health care spending?

A) Fee-for-service payment
B) Lower co-pays and deductibles
C) Aging of the population
D) Increasing obesity rates

Question 29

Which factors also contribute to rises in health care expenditures?

A) Demand for technology, treatments, and pharmaceuticals
B) Lack of transportation
C) Lack of scientific evidence
D) Shortages of rural providers

Question 30

Examples of state-based innovations to reduce costs in improve quality include:

A) Insurance rate review and setting hospital prices
B) Patient-centered medical homes
C) Medicaid Coordinated Care Organizations
D) Improving health in the surrounding community