The Progress of Healthcare Quality and Its Impact on African Americans

In the mid-twentieth century, the government’s position in medical services radically transformed American society. Starting from the era of F. Roosevelt and especially during the Second World War, the United States actively developed government activities in the social sphere. However, until the 60s in the 20th century, state medical programs covered practically only two categories of inhabitants: military personnel and war veterans (Berkowitz, 2008). According to Berkowitz (2008), the mid-twentieth century became a milestone in the social activities of the country, which took upon itself, as one of its main internal functions, the support of healthcare for a substantial share of the state’s population. The largest government medical initiatives, Medicare and Medicaid, were implemented. Previously, the Federal Government provided (under the Hill-Burton Act) concessional loans for medical facilities and facilitated the construction of medical facilities, in which the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Social and Health Services (HSHS) participated to a limited extent by directly distributing medical facilities and services.

With the introduction of the most considerable country medical insurance initiatives, Medicare and Medicaid, the emphasis shifted from the distribution of medical support services to the means for financing them. The government’s role has developed significantly in the social sphere in general, particularly in medicine. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, known as Obamacare, was signed in 2010 by former President Barack Obama. Conditions contained in medical and health user safety reform were aimed at enhancing access to medical assistance, raising client safety, and highlighting illness prevention. The administration led by Obama considered healthcare reform as one of the greatest achievements of its domestic policy, especially for African Americans, during its period in power. Jarrett and Burwell (2015) concluded that almost 8 million African Americans obtained access to extended preventive amenities, including mammograms, well-kid checks, and flu vaccinations, avoiding personal expenses.  

Despite efforts by former President Donald Trump’s administration, Obamacare remained popular among all Americans. Moreover, during Biden’s administration, healthcare expenses decreased for Americans and their families, and access to medical services was enhanced to manage distinctions in Black communities (The American Presidency Project, 2023). Still, according to Funk (2024), a significant percentage of African American adults compared to US adults specified that they perceived worse and lower-quality medical assistance (29% vs. 21% of all American adults) or felt less respect during medical support compared to other health users (29% vs. 21%). Besides, some African American adults stated that a healthcare provider rushed them (32% vs. 39% of all US adults). Also, African American females, specifically younger African American females, frequently inform about having harmful medical experiences. Overall, 55% of African American adults noted that they faced at least one of six unfavorable experiences with physicians or other medical staff.

Thus, in the United States, racial differences persist at the cultural and mental levels. Racial disparities in the country are reflected in the fact that racial minorities, including African Americans, typically require more serious medical treatment when testing positive than white Americans. This is primarily due to the large number of uninsured people among them, which leads to delays in obtaining healthcare. Racial minorities are often subject to poor quality healthcare services, which is reflected in high readmission rates. Large numbers of African Americans live in areas with insufficient number of supermarkets, but where fast food establishments are common. Frequent consumption of fast food contributes to the development of obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc. However, this particular lifestyle is typical for representatives of colored races, including due to their relative poverty and low level of education.

References

Berkowitz, E. (2008). Medicare and Medicaid: The past as prologue. Health Care Financing Review, 29(3), 81-93.

Funk, C. (2024). 3. Black Americans’ views about health disparities, experiences with health care. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/04/07/black-americans-views-about-health-disparities-experiences-with-health-care 

Jarrett, V. & Burwell, S.M. (2015). Why the Affordable Care Act matters to African-Americans. The White House. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/01/22/why-affordable-care-act-matters-african-americans  The American Presidency Project (2023). Fact sheet: The Biden-Harris administration advances equity and opportunity for Black Americans and communities across the country.https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-advances-equity-and-opportunity-for-black-3