U.S. Health Care
Health care is one of the most important topics in American politics and society today. Use this Web guide to find information on the government and non-government health care organizations that seek to educate and heal the American public. You’ll find resources for health care news, as well as information on where the current presidential candidates stand on health care issues.
Expand All Guide SectionsGovernment Organizations on Health Care
The following organizations represent the U.S. government’s role in the American health care system. These Web sites are resources for current U.S. health care policies, and illuminate American citizens’ health care rights accordingly. Some offer health news and information.
Dulcinea's Insight
- This guide is not intended as a resource for locating health care services. If you’re looking for a medical professional or a federal agency that deals with health care, visit healthfinder.gov, a health care directory offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- See findingDulcinea’s Health Web Guide for information on finding personal health insurance.
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The White House
maintains a page on U.S. health care. Use the site to track speeches and press releases related to health care topics, and to read up on how the current administration is tackling major health care issues.
The Health Resources and Services Administration
is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Web site serves as a directory to health care-related sites such as “Health System Concerns,” which links to organizations that specialize in issues like organ donation, emergency preparedness, vaccine injury and more. For a concise list of organizations that can help with health care issues, visit the Healthcare Systems Bureau.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
offers consumer health care information. The site deals less with health care policies than it does with daily health care issues, such as drugs approved by the FDA, and other medical news and products.
Private Organizations on Health Care
The United States government is not solely responsible for the health care of its citizens. As a result, many private institutions have emerged to facilitate greater health care availability and education for the American public. Below are some organizations that specialize in health care policy research, as well as groups striving to help American citizens by fulfilling immediate health care needs.
Dulcinea's Insight
- There are thousands of private and nonprofit organizations dedicated to health care. We’ve recommended a few that represent different sides of the health care perspective, including organizations that accredit health care institutions and nonprofits that seek to bring health care to individuals.
- If you want to learn as much as possible about the issues surrounding health care today, visit the organizations that represent the medical community: learning how health care professionals perceive the issues can broaden your perspective, even if the information seems technical or complex.
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For organizations that accredit health care institutions …
The Joint Commission
reviews and assesses medical organizations to ensure that U.S. citizens are receiving high-quality health care. Look for news and information about health care topics aimed at health care professionals and organizations.
For organizations that seek to improve American health care …
The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC)
works to enhance health care opportunities for American citizens. Visit “Facts About Health Care,” for specific data and analysis, or go to “Press Releases” to research the organization’s agenda. Articles that mention NCHC or were written by NCHC staff members are frequently published in newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and the New York Times; look for a list of such articles in the “Materials” section.
The Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc.
is dedicated to improving health care opportunities for underprivileged individuals. Browse the Center’s “Issue Areas” on the left sidebar to learn more about what the organization does.
Minority Healthcare Communications Inc.
works to enhance health care for African-Americans and Latinos. The organization frequently holds conferences and events to educate the public on health care issues. For a schedule of upcoming conferences, visit MHCC Events.
Health Care News
New developments in health care policy and research happen every day. Use these resources to stay abreast of changes in the health care system, or to learn about new issues that question current health care guidelines and strategies.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many of the resources mentioned earlier in this guide offer health care news as well. Be advised, however, that government and private organizations have specific agendas that influence what news is offered, and how it is presented.
Dulcinea's Picks
For analysis of current health care data …
The Congressional Budget Office
keeps track of major elements of U.S. spending, including health care costs. Check the home page for regular updates on health care budget information.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
analyzes U.S. economic data. Health care budget analysis is frequently analyzed and reported on the home page. You can also find archived data by doing an internal search using the Web site’s search function.
Rand Health
provides research and analysis of the current U.S. health care system. The organization not only analyzes data, but also works to enhance health care by partnering with other research and medical institutions. Go to Current Studies for a full list of health care issues assessed by the group.
For news from the medical and health care communities …
Medical News Today
is a health care and medical news aggregator, collecting news from journals like Lancet, JAMA and BMJ. Read about recent FDA trials of drugs and medications, updates on insurance providers and results of the latest medical studies. Browse content by category using the left sidebar or search by keyword.
For news from mainstream media sources …
The New York Times
maintains a section dedicated to health care news. Learn about recent trials, medical research, developments in exercise and nutrition, and even browse the “Money and Policy” section to read up on the bureaucracy of U.S. health care.
NPR
has a section dedicated to health care coverage. In addition to the latest headlines detailing new drugs, pharmaceutical industry news and more, the site links to NPR’s “Your Health” page to help you manage your own well-being.
Forbes.com
provides news on health care issues with an economic bent. This is a good place to track health care market analysis, or to research up-and-coming drugs and pharmaceutical companies.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
