The cost of regulating health care : the impact of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals' standards on health care expenditures

Health services are required in some form by all people, whether they require hospitalization or a simple examination. However, there are many individuals who cannot afford the cost of health care in this country for any number of reasons. One avenue that is the focus of this paper is the impact of regulation on the rising cost of health care, and whether the system is performing as designed. In Chapter One, the history of health care expenditures is examined in order to acquaint the reader with the complexities associated with this topic. Upon this groundwork, the structure of the main question is built. As Chapter Two unfolds, the Structure and Practices of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals is examined in detail so that the reader is painfully aware of the processes that health care facilities must follow in order to receive certification. (See more in text.)