Depression is among the most significant health problems in American society, not only in human terms, but in economic and social terms as well. Depression also serves as a useful lens for citizens in exploring the governance of health care more generally. The future of medical care in the United States has been a major concern for policymakers. While there have been numerous proposals for how medical care will be financed as it expands and continues to grow more expensive, there has been much less attention on health care support. In the past fifty years, health care has evolved from a family-focused delivery system for many routine illnesses and situations to one that relies almost completely on the formal health care system (doctors, hospitals). This discussion project focused on exploring and developing alternative public policy possibilities as they relate to public policy for health care and for the treatment of depression in particular.
Monthly sanctuary discussions among both our expert-specialist and our citizen-generalist panelists were conducted between October 2002 and September 2004. Following exploratory discussions, our panelists developed a series of contrasting governance possibilities, from which the following six were selected as worthy of further democratic public consideration: Universalize Coverage & Individualize Care; Universalize Coverage & Enhance Client Participation; Support the Supporters; Stimulate Social Interaction and Provide Community Support; Meet Basic Human Needs; and Accelerate Research and Development.
Health Care: The Case of Depression
Project Manager – Adolf Gundersen
Depression is among the most significant health problems in American society, not only in human terms, but in economic and social terms as well. Depression also serves as a useful lens for citizens in exploring the governance of health care more generally. The future of medical care in the United States has been a major concern for policymakers. While there have been numerous proposals for how medical care will be financed as it expands and continues to grow more expensive, there has been much less attention on health care support. In the past fifty years, health care has evolved from a family-focused delivery system for many routine illnesses and situations to one that relies almost completely on the formal health care system (doctors, hospitals). This discussion project focused on exploring and developing alternative public policy possibilities as they relate to public policy for health care and for the treatment of depression in particular.
Monthly sanctuary discussions among both our expert-specialist and our citizen-generalist panelists were conducted between October 2002 and September 2004. Following exploratory discussions, our panelists developed a series of contrasting governance possibilities, from which the following six were selected as worthy of further democratic public consideration: Universalize Coverage & Individualize Care; Universalize Coverage & Enhance Client Participation; Support the Supporters; Stimulate Social Interaction and Provide Community Support; Meet Basic Human Needs; and Accelerate Research and Development.