Constructing Gender through Body Customization Essay - 1

Constructing Gender through Body Customization - Essay Example The same goes for me as I try to combine different styles of clothing along with different accessories. The way we dress portrays our self-identity and thus when we choose a dressing style we have control over the way we want to present our personality. Moreover, my dressing style has impact on my emotions. For instance, I prefer to wear light color clothes as they keep me calm while tight-fitting clothes make me uncomfortable and impatient. 1. It is a fact that the way a person dresses and adorns their body reflects the personal beliefs of that person. In society, the personality of a person is manifested in their dressing sense and it helps other people to characterize them by interpreting their behavior and attitude, and this becomes significant in the context of social gatherings. It has become a practice to stereotype people according to their dress like those who are well-dressed are considered as happy, optimistic, outgoing, and financially affluent (Sanders, 2009, p.1). When I reflect on my personal beliefs I realize that they get reflected in the way I dress. My casual attitude consists of leggings and cool t-shirts along with natural makeup that indicates my belief that everyone looks best with physical features with which they were born. Therefore I refrain from coloring my hair or having tattoos on my body. I also do not generally apply heavy makeup on my eyes with bright colors of eyeshadow as I believe that takes away the natural look of my facial features. A stranger will most probably consider me as a laid-back person with a casual sense of fashion. 2. The core beliefs and values of my family lay in their broad minded perspective of modern day fashion. The elder members of my family are aware of changing trends in fashion and they do not usually provide unsolicited advice to the younger generation. However, the young people of my family do not indulge in vulgar dressing styles and try to

Public Governance in England Essay Example for Free

Public Governance in England Essay Governance can be defined as how local government bodies operate and control structure and processes of local authorities to manage their communities under one umbrella. These local bodies ensure quality service to the people and lead communities in a responsible way (Governance). The role of governance is to give clear directions, facilitate new projects, acts and take steps for any foreseen danger to the community.   Public governance deal with public sector and is kept under constant review. It sets out clear principles for the administration to arrange for public regulation. The treasury report states that UK spending had increased to  £500 by the year 2005 and 2006. Public governance would include policy making and providing quality service to public related issues including housing, sanitary, health, education, sewage and water supply management. Public governance ensures quality services to the citizens and taxpayers.   In public governance there is no combined code or any equivalent code of principles. However, there is an alternative individual codes and guidance that are specifically made for individual specific public bodies.   In 2004 a commission comprising key leaders from public was established by three different institutes, Chartered institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), the Office of Public Management (OPM) and Joseph Rowntree foundation. The goal was to establish good governance principles for public services equivalent to Combined Code. These principles would support publicly funded bodies.   The Good Governance Standard For Public was published in 2005 by the commission that addressed issues for the members of public, governing bodies, public services, organizations, governors and those who develop codes for governance (Good Governance Briefing).   The governance of both public and private sector are combined and supervised by the unitary board model. This board is formed by executive and non-executive directors who are responsible for management of daily business and those tasks that are independent of the management respectively. The board functions to monitor both the governance.   The role of the boards of public governance and private governance is somewhat similar, but public sector is more complex. In public governance there is no standard organisational shape and no legislation operate public bodies. That is, public services do not work under any legislative framework instead they have unified boards of independent executive and non-executive directors.   Most non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are exclusively comprised of non-executive directors. Some organizations have both executive and non-executive, while some other operate under one chief executive who is the top level member of the board and there is no other equivalent executive with him (Good Governance Briefing).   Supervisory boards are formed by the members from diverse stakeholders and are much larger than unified boards. Good governance is very important for successful public administration. Public sector failure results from poor governance. However, the poor governance is not just the result of any poor performance in single issue or service (Governance). But poor governance results from a number of factors that when combined pose several problems in the public sector administration. The quality of service by the public governance matters a lot for the people to gain trust in that government. To gain trust from its people public governance must offer quality service and assure them proper security, health, education to live in prosperous society. Loss of public trust is of immense importance for the public government. Once people do not support that government then it can threaten their accomplishment as a strong government.   Public governance must follow good governance policies and its main goal is to have a lot of trust from its people. Public government can have good image by having good support from its people. In forming rules and regulation public government will always keep in mind the facilities for the people of community. Public governance strives for quality service in education and health to its people. Once people choose not to support that government and not to participate in voting or vote against it then it can be fragmented (Governance).   Public government is also responsible for health and sanitary conditions in the community. It is involved in operating public hospitals and is responsible for maintaining high standard of medical treatment, medical services, cleanliness and sanitation of the hospitals. Public run hospitals must have proper healthcare system in order to provide proper health to the community and its people (Stolzenber). It is the responsibly of the governance to adopt strategies to preserve its viable function and also improve its structure to attain high health standards.   Characteristics of public governance must be strong enough to participate in the market-driven economy. The infrastructure of the governance must be efficient and flexible to operate independently of the bureaucratic impediments. Only high standards of governance can lead to successful and prosperous communities.   In public governance some departments have independent lay members and magistrates. These include police authorities. The Local Government Act 2000 developed three different types of political structures to be followed by local authorities. Each local body will develop proposals to adopt any of the three structures either as an executive role or scrutiny role. The council of higher education mainly adopts the executive role.   There are around 450,000 governors in the public service organizations. Every governor is responsible for leading and directing the workforce, organizing their tasks and fulfill their main objectives. They work for the public interest.   References   New Charity Regulation. http://lawreview.kentlaw.edu/articles/80-2/Morris.pdf Stolzenber, Edward A. Governance Change for Public Hospitals. Retrieved from http://www.ache.org/mbership/advtofellow/caserpts/governance99.cfm Governance. Retrieved from http://www.improvementnetwork.gov.uk/imp/core/page.do?pageId=1007044

Impact of Airports Political, Environmental and Social

Impact of Airports Political, Environmental and Social Airports play an important economic role within their local communities. Airports serve a significant role in the economic shaping of the communities of which they serve due to the sheer actuality that they are among the largest public facilities in the world. It is well understood that a viable and efficient transportation system is a fundamental and necessary component to the economy of any region (Wells Young, 2004). Although there is no doubt that the presence of an airport has great positive impacts on a surrounding community from an economic standpoint, the presence of an airport, much like any large industrial complex, unfortunately impacts the community and surrounding natural environment in what many consider a negative manner. These effects are a result of activity whose sources is the airport itself and of vehicles, as well as both aircraft and ground vehicles, which travel to and from the airport (Wells Young, 2004). Examine the political, environmental and social impact an airport has on its local community. Analyze some rules and regulations that govern environmental impact activities, and explain how their strategies help satisfy the needs of the local communities while maintaining sufficient airport operations. Determine and evaluate the role technology plays in mitigating the risks and reducing the environmental impacts created by airport activity. Determine if a relationship exist between community economic growth indicators and airport activity. Program Outcome addressed by this question. 1. P.O. #1: Students will be able to apply the fundamentals of air transportation as part of a global, multimodal transportation system, including the technological, social, environmental, and political aspects of the system to examine, compare, analyze and recommend conclusion. A literary review will analyze the environmental impacts of airports on the surrounding communities in which they serve. An evaluation of environmentally related complaints filed against aviation activity and reported to the FAA will determine the most significant environmental impacts associated with airports. Predicting the future of the global multimodal air transportation system is impossible without first understanding the local role and responsibility of each component of the air transportation system. This question will show evidence of satisfying the Program Outcome by demonstrating how the social, economical, political, and environmental fundamentals of an airport are an integral part of the air transportation system, and how these factors contribute to the relationship that an airport has with its surrounding communities. Research and Analysis Airports serve a significant role in the political, economic, and social shaping of the communities of which they serve due to the sheer actuality that they are among the largest public facilities in the world. Political Roles A major commercial airport is a huge public enterprise. Some are literally cities in their own right, with a great variety of facilities and services (Wells Young, 2004). Although the administrative functions and responsibilities of these facilities are governed by public entities, airports are also comprised of private dispositions. Commercial airports must be operated in cooperation with the air carriers that provide air transportation service and all airports must work with tenants, such as concessionaires, fixed-based operators (FBOs), and other firms doing business on airport property. This amalgamation of public management and private enterprise fashions a unique political role for airport management (Wells Young, 2004). Airline carrier-airport relationships. One of the most prominent and essential relationships in the aviation industry is the airport airline relationship. When viewing the relationship from the airlines standpoint, an airport is a point along their route system for the purpose of enplaning, deplaning, and transferring passengers, cargo, and freight. To facilitate effective and efficient operations, the airlines necessitate specific facilities and services at each airport. The specified requirements of the airports are as varied and unique as the airlines who request them; however, they scarcely remain stagnant, as they are ever changing and evolving to meet the needs of traffic demands, economic conditions, and the competitive climate. Before airline deregulation in 1978, response to changes of this sort was slow and mediated by the regulatory process. Airlines had to apply to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for permission to add or drop routes or to change fares. CAB deliberations involved published notices, comments f rom opposing parties, and sometimes hearings that could take months, even years, and all members of the airline airport community were aware of an airline carriers intention to make a change long before they received permission from the CAB (Wells Young, 2004). The Deregulation Act of 1978 enabled air carriers to change their routes and fares without awaiting the approval of the CAB. Many of these changes occurred on short notice, thus causing airline necessities and requirements at airports to change with haste. Contrary to the viewpoints of air carriers, which operate at multiple airports over a route system connecting many cities, airports concentrate on accommodating the interests of a variety of users at a solitary location. Airport operators and managers have the strenuous task of ensuring that they meet all the demands and requirements of their airline carriers while maintaining their resources. Due to the rapidly changing specifics of each airline carrier, airports often find their services and facilities needing improving or refurbishing, requiring major capital expenditures or even making obsolete an already constructed facility. Airport operators and managers must exercise diligence and caution in realizing that they accommodate and must meet the needs of other tenants and users besides the airline carriers, and must ensure that the airports landside facilities are effectively and efficiently utilized. Although the landside facilities are of minimal importance to the airline carrie rs, their efficiency can severely have an effect on and be affected by their operations. Despite their notably different perspectives, airline carriers and airports share the collective objective of making the airport a successful and established economic venture in which both parties can benefit and prosper from. Traditionally the relationship between the airline carriers and airports has been formally fused through the use of airport user agreements which establish the circumstances and methodology for establishing, calculating, and collecting usage fees and charges. These agreements are also used to identify the rights and privileges of air carriers, sometimes including the right to approve or disapprove any major proposed airport capital development projects (Wells Young, 2004). Residual cost airports, or airports where two or more air carriers assume financial risk by agreeing to pay any cost of running the airport that are not allocated to other users, typically have longer-term use agreements than compensatory airports, with agreements of terms of 20 or more year s and terms of 30 years or longer not being uncommon. On the other hand, only approximately half of compensatory airports, or airports in which the airport operator assumes the financial risk of running the airport and charges the air carrier fees and rental rates set so as to recover the actual costs, have agreements running for 20 years or more, with many of the compensatory airports having no contractual agreements whatsoever with the airline carriers (Wells Young, 2004). Concessionaire-airport relationships. Another vital relationship which attributes to an airports success is the relationship between the airport and the concessionaires. This is due to the fact that the majority of airports rely on their concessionaires in order to generate a considerable amount of their non-aviation related revenues. Airports maintain management contracts and concession agreements with the concessionaires who provided the airport with services and facilities such as banks, restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, parking facilities, bookstores, bars, gift shops, taxi services, and business centers. The context of these agreements varies to a great extent; however, they typically extend the various concessionaires the privilege of operating on the property of the airport in exchange for the greater payment of either a minimal annual fee, or a percentage of the revenues. These agreements can vary from outlet to outlet at the same airport depending upon location, nature of business, forecast turnover and whether or not the outlet is new (Francis et. al, 2004). The tenure of each agreement between the airport and the various concessionaires and the financial circumstances affixed to each will vary by airport and concessionaire. The length of the contractual agreement is dependent upon an array of criteria, with one of the most important being the level of investment required from the retailer. If little investment is required then a contract is often short term; however, if any substantial level of investment is required from the retailer then a contract of five years would be considered the minimum (Freathy OConnell, 1999). A concessionaire who is often overlooked when speaking of concessionaire, despite its critically important role, is the fixed based operator (FBO). FBOs generally provide services for airport firms, users, and tenants lacking facilities of their own, typically through fuel sales, and aircraft repair, service, and maintenance facility operations. The contracts and agreements between airport operators and FBOs vary due to FBOs constructing and developing its own facilities on airport property in some cases, and FBOs simply managing facilities belonging to the airport in other cases. In addition to concessionaires, some airport authorities serve as landlord to other tenants which may reside and operate on airport property such as industrial parks, freight forwarders, and warehouses, all of which can provide significant revenue. It is the responsibility of airport management to maintain fruitful political relationships with all tenants, by ensuring reasonable lease fees, contract terms, and an overall mix of tenants that meet the needs of the airport and the public it serves (Wells Young, 2004). General aviation-airport relationships. In contrast to airline carriers and concessionaires, contractual agreements are rarely used to characterize and solidify the relationships between airport operators and general aviation (GA). GA is a diverse group which can be comprised of GA aircraft owned and operated by an assortment of organizations and individuals for a miscellaneous number of leisure, business, or instructional purposes. Agreement when they are in place, are seldom long term due to the variety and diversity of owners and aircraft type and use. Airport facilities, in particular storage space such as hangars and tie-downs, are often leased from the airport with the airport playing the role of landlord in a landlord-tenant relationship. Thus, at the airport, the primary needs of GA are parking and storage space, along with facilities for fuel, maintenance, and repair. Whereas as air carrier might occupy a gate for an hour to deplane and enplane passengers and load fuel, a GA user might need to have property space to park an aircraft for a day or more (Wells Young, 2004). Airport-public relations. Indubitably, one of the most vital and challenging relationships that an airport must foster and maintain, is the relationship between the airport and its community it serves. The overall goal of the airport must be to create goodwill and a positive reputation for the airport and its products, services, and ideals with the community, who can affect its present and future welfare. Without regards to the size, location, or activity scope of an airport, every airport four publics in which it must deal with. These publics include the 1) external business public, which includes all segments of the business, government, educational, and general flying public; the 2) external general public, which is all the local citizens and taxpayer, many of whom have never been to the airport but who vote on airport issues or who represent citizens groups with particular concerns; the 3) internal business public, which includes the businesses and enterprises who interests are tied directly to the airpor t-the airlines, FBOs, other members of the GA community, government officials, and other aviation and travel-oriented local businesses and trade organizations, and the employees of all these enterprises; and the 4) internal employee public comprised of everyone who works for the airport and its parent organization (Wells Young, 2004). Like any other facility that is a part of and serves the total community, the airport requires total understanding by its community and publics, and must ensure that it creates an environment and atmosphere of awareness and acceptance. Airport regulatory policies. The airport has many organizations who are profoundly interested in their operations, and in developing and preserving airports due to their role in the national air transportation system and their value to the communities and publics they serve. The primary goal of these groups is to provide political support for their causes with hopes to influence federal, state, and local laws concerning airports and aviation operations in their favor (Wells Young, 2004). Some of the most prominent groups include the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the Aviation Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ADMA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (G AMA), the Helicopter Association International (HAI), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), and the Regional Airline Association (RAA). Economic Roles Unquestionably, airports are economic locomotives and a reflection of the community, publics, and region in which they reside, serve, and represent. Transportation, by definition, provides the ability for people and goods to move between communities, thus leading to trade and commerce between markets, which in turn, lead to jobs, earnings, and overall economic benefit for a communitys residents (Wells Young, 2004). Transportation role. Despite the fact that there are numerous modes of transportations, to include automobiles, trains, trucks, and ships, air travel has had a significant impact on trade and commerce that is absolutely unrivaled by any other transportation mode. In comparison to their sister modes of transportation, travel in the aviation system allows substantial amounts of passengers and cargo to travel internationally in relatively short periods of time, resulting in communities garnering extraordinary and exceptional economic benefit through providing them access to various world-wide markets. Stimulating economic growth. The airport has become vital to the growth of business and industry in a community by providing air access for companies that must meet the demands of supply, competition, and expanding marketing areas. Economic impacts of airports are measured according to direct impact and indirect, or induced, impact. Directs impacts include the economic activities carried out at the airport by airline carriers, airport management and operators, FBOs, and other firms, and tenants with a direct involvement with aviation. Airports and the agencies and tenants that directly impact the airports represent a major source of employment for their various outlying communities, with the wages and salaries earned by the employees of airport-related business having a significant direct economic impact on the local communities economy by providing the means to purchase goods and services while generating tax revenues as well. Local payrolls are not the only measure of an airports economic benefit to the commun ity. In addition, the employee expenditures generate successive waves of additional employment and purchases that are more difficult to measure, yet nevertheless substantial (Wells Young, 2004). Total Airport Earnings and Employment (Earnings in Millions) Category Earnings Jobs Salaries $208.91 4,870 Local Fuel Purchases $3.99 237 Local Non-Fuel Purchases $4.23 252 Rent $18.35 723 Equipment Purchases $1.39 82 Utilities $8.07 318 Contractual Services $41.77 1,647 State Taxes $10.16 125 Local Taxes $27.42 338 Other Spending $73.14 901 Hotel Spending $42.20 2,234 Construction $19.11 743 Total $458.74 12,471 * Totals may not add due to rounding Table 1: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) 2004 earnings and employment. Taken from MSY 2004 Airport Report In addition to the direct economic impact generated by the airport, the outlying communities receive indirect, or induced, impact generated by economic activities by on-airport businesses and off-airport business activities associated with the airport through-put, such as hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and travel agencies, as well their roles in facilitating trade and tourism, among others. The airport also indirectly supports the local economy through the use of local services for air cargo, food catering to the airlines, aircraft maintenance, and ground transportation on and around the airport, as regular purchases of fuel, food, goods, supplies, equipment, and other services permeate additional income into the communities surrounding the airport. The local economys tourism and business convention industry can also receive economic growth and substantial revenues indirectly impacted by the airport through air travelers patronage and use of hotels, restaurants, retail stores, sp orts and night clubs, rental cars, and local transportation, among others. Beyond the benefits that an airport brings to the community as a transportation facility and as a local industry, the airport has become a significant factor in the determination of real estate values in adjacent areas. Land located near airports almost always increases in value as the local economy begins to benefit from the presence of the airport. Land developers consistently seek land near airports, and it follows inexorably that a new airport will inspire extensive construction around it (Wells Young, 2004). TOTAL TAX REVENUE CREATED (In millions of $s) CATEGORY INCOME State Direct $9.95 Income $7.18 Selective Sales $7.52 General Sales $8.90 Business $2.48 Total State $36.04 Local Sales $10.57 Local Direct $23.83 Local Property Taxes $0.97 Total Local $35.38 State Plus Local $71.41 * Totals may not add due to rounding Table 2: MSY Tax revenue created 2004. Taken from MSY 2004 Airport Report Airports are a major force and contributor to the local, regional, and national economy with an impact that goes well beyond the actual physical boundaries of the airport. As cargo and passenger continue to rise, and infrastructure continue to improve, the importance and impacts of airports as economic catalyst will also continue to increase. Environmental Roles Although there is no doubt that the presence of an airport has great positive impacts on a surrounding community from an economic standpoint, the presence of an airport, much like any large industrial complex, unfortunately impacts the community and surrounding natural environment in what many consider a negative manner. These effects are a result of activity whose sources is the airport itself and of vehicles, as well as both aircraft and ground vehicles, which travel to and from the airport (Wells Young, 2004). Noise Impacts. Conceivably the most noteworthy environmental impact associated with airports is the noise emanated by the taking off and landing of aircraft, with engine maintenance and taxiing aircraft following closely behind. The impact of such noise on communities is usually analyzed in terms of the extent to which the noise annoys people by interfering with their normal activities, such as sleep, relaxation, speech, television, school, and business operations (GAO, 2000). According to a 1978 study that has become the generally accepted model for assessing the effects of long-term noise exposure, when sound exposure levels are measured by the method that assigns additional weight to sounds occurring at night (between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.), and those sound levels exceed 65 decibels, individuals report a noticeable increase in annoyance (Schultz, 1978). There is increasing evidence that high exposure to noise has adverse psychological and physiological effects and that people repeatedly exposed to loud noises might exhibit high stress levels, nervous tension, and inability to concentrate (Wells Young, 2004). Since the beginning of aviation, airports have always had conflicts with their neighboring communities; however, noise did not become an issue until the 1960s introduction of the commercial jet. It is estimated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that between 1960 and 1970, the land area affected by aviation-related noise and the complaints they received with noise as the culprit increased sevenfold.

Teaching Philosophy Statement Essay -- Teaching Teachers Education Ess

Teaching Philosophy Statement The world revolves around education. Without it, we would be lost. Teachers are among the most important people in the world. They are what shape our society. This takes on a very important job, but this is something that I want to do more than anything. A teacher is one that is looked up to by others, and is respected in the community. I want to become a teacher because I want to help children learn and make a difference in a child’s life. I believe that I mainly follow the idealist philosophy. Becoming a teacher is something that I have always wanted to do, so I know that I would put my all into it. I would make sure that I knew my content area very well. I also want to make sure the students know that they can come to me with any of their problems. I not only want to be a teacher, but a role model to my students. Knowing that a student trusts me would bring so much self-fulfillment. I also follow the pragmatist philosophy. I believe that they classroom is a community of learners. Pragmatists also establish classroom rules at the beginning of the year. This is important because the children are just entering the school system, and they need to know that what they may do at home isn’t permitted at school. I would rather have a non-authoritarian classroom over an authoritarian classroom. I believe I could control the students. I think there would be more respect in the classroom if I made sure the students knew at the beginning of the year what was and wasn’t allowed. Also, many kindergarten teachers have assistants to help them. Not that I’ relying on that, but that would help keep control of the classroom as well. ... ...dergartener won’t learn very much if you stand in front of the room and lecture. You ned to work with the students personally, that way they grasp what you are teaching. You need to become a leader when you’re working with a room full of young students. I feel that I can fulfill this role. I’ve worked with young children before, and if you set out rules beforehand, you have better results. I will definitely take what I’ve learned and use it in my classroom. Education reform is necessary in our ever changing world. I know that as a teacher I would be willing to change with the times. As teachers we must have a positive attitude and take on whatever is needed. Education is one of the most important aspects of the world. Teaching is something that I look forward to, and I can’t wait until I have a classroom of my own.

Reimbursement and Pay-for-Performance Essay

Introduction There is a growing trend in the United States called pay-for-performance. Pay-for-performance is a system that is used where providers are compensated by payers for meeting certain pre-established measures for quality and efficiency (What is Pay-for-Performance, n.a.). We are going to be discussing what pay-for-performance is. There are different aspects of pay-for-performance which include; the effects of reimbursement by this approach, the impact cost reductions has on quality and efficiency of health care, the affects to the providers and patients, and the effects on the future of health care. Pay-for-Performance Pay-for-performance (P4P) and value-based purchasing are terms that can be heard within the health care industry which, describes payment systems that reward physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers for their quality and efficiency. The objective of pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives is to link reimbursement to quality of health care as well as reduce systemwide costs (Shi & Singh, 2012). Government agencies as well as private health plans are in the process of establishing programs in hopes to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers so that they will start to meet the quality of standards and achieve the ideal outcome for patients. The overall goal for pay-for-performance is to increase the quality of health care, while reducing the medical costs by implementing programs that will focus on things such as preventative care which would include services such as annual exams and vaccinations. Measurements and Incentives When it comes to quality of care measurements there are different categories one of which being structure. The structure measures patients access to health care, the use of electronic systems and the patients experience of the care that they received. Incentives can be either financial incentives or non-financial incentives. Pay-for-performance has quite a few pros  because it helps increase the motivation of the physician or health care facility which in return will how the company that the individual care for their job and wants to be rewarded based on their good behavior and quality of care that they provide the patient with. There can be a con when it comes to pay-for-performance which would be that if the physician or staff does not have the proper knowledge, training, and experience then they might not be able to reach or exceed the goals that have been set. When the proper knowledge, training, and experience is an issue than this can cause the company to have to invest money into getting that individual the training and resources that they need to obtain the set goals. How Reimbursement is Affected When it comes to the pay-for-performance programs they have been introduced to the health care system to offer incentives to physicians, hospitals, and other medical facilities however the underlying structure of the payment system already generates a lot of incentives on its own. Currently in the United States a majority of physicians are paid on a fee-for-service basis, which in returns encourages a high volume of services, without regard to the value of the service to the patient. In the health care industry there are services that after they are performed the reimbursement is more generous on the payout than others. The pay-for-performance can alter the current incentives that physicians, hospitals, and other medical providers already receive. Reimbursement has affected the pay-for-performance in a positive way because health care providers are able to financially gain from it for providing their patients with quality health care services. Reimbursements are reinventing the way that health care is going to be delivered because health care providers are going to be able to amplify their profit through improving their quality of care, instead of it being the fee-for-service quantity. Pros of Pay-for-Performance for Patients When patients see physicians who are part of the pay-for-performance program this can be beneficial for them. The reason that patients see benefits is because the physician will work with the patients individually to get better health care results for the patient. If a patient has high blood pressure then the physician will focus on that issue and will work with the patient  to get it back to normal which in return the physician will see an incentive for this and the patient wins as well because they are getting the treatment that they need and their overall health is going to increase as a result of the services provided. System Cost Reductions The system costs reductions will have a positive impact on the quality and efficiency of health care. A lot of analyst have worried that the Affordable Care Act will weaken the quality and efficiency in health care because there will be way more patients and not enough quality health care providers. According to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (n.d.): In 2000, health care spending rose to $1.3 trillion dollars, or an average of $4,637 per person. As a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it grew from 13.1 percent in 1999 to 13.2 percent in 2000. National health expenditures are expected to reach $2.8 trillion in 2011, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3 percent from 2001 to 2011. By growing 2.5 percent faster that then the GPD, expenditures will consume approximately 17 percent of the GDP in 2011(para. 6). Affects on providers and Customers Pay-for-performance affects health care providers and their customers in a positive aspect because it improves the quality of health care that they receive from their physician which in return increases value. The pay-for-performance program will take health care from basic health care delivery to high-quality health care delivery. The way that this is going to affect the patient â€Å"customer† is because they are going to have an overall better experience with more attention to their overall health. The patient will also see benefits because there are incentives for patients when they live a healthy lifestyle. One of the incentives that the patient will see is in cost savings in the immediate future. Pay-for-performance is positive for all stakeholders involved within the program because it delivers on the main goal which is to increase the quality of care to patients while reducing the costs. The pay-for-performance will also help health care providers to establish more rapport and generate a good feedback within the community because when their patient receives quality health care services then the patient is going to go back and tell their family and friends about their positive experience and recommend that health care provider to their loved  ones. Effects on Future Health Care Pay-for-performance programs are expected to expand across the United States health care in the near future, especially with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The pay-for-performance is going to continue to increase the quality of health care that the patient receives from their health care provider. Pay-for-performance is eventually going to be all across the United States and more medical professionals are going to be participating within this incentive program which is going to start making health care affordable for many Americans who cannot afford health care coverage and or services. In the future we are going to start seeing healthier Americans because they are going to get health care services that are tailored solely on their health care needs. Doctors are going to start working to provide quality care in order to get their patients healthier whether it be getting their weight under control, blood pressure, and various other illnesses. Conclusion Pay-for-performance and reimbursement is changing the health care delivery system into a more cost efficient health care system that before. This is going to improve the quality of care that one receives because it steers away from the fee-for-service and gives physicians motivation to provide their patients with a better quality of car because of the incentives that they will receive. There are going to be many baby boomers that are going to start requiring more health care services and with this pay-for-performance implementation it is going to give them a better quality of care than in previous years. With the pay-for-performance incentives this is going to motivate doctors to get their patients in overall better health which in the future we will probably start seeing a decrease in chronic illnesses as patients will be working towards a better and healthier lifestyle. References Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (n.d.) http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/factsheets/costs/costria/index.html Rosenthal, M.B. (2006). How Will Paying for Performance Affect Patient Care?. Retrieved from http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2006/03/pfor1-0603.html Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2012). Delivering health care in America: Health Policy (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

How to Avoid the Freshman 15 The Freshman 15 is one of the things incoming students hear about the most. Legend has it that the average student gains fifteen pounds during their first year in college. Urban myth or not, keep these tips in mind to ensure you eat and stay healthy as you adjust to eating on campus. Walk whenever and wherever you can on campus. Your campus may be big or small, hilly or flat, but regardless: its probably walkable. Do your best to take the long way when you can. Join an intramural sports team. Never played rugby or softball before? Who cares! Intramural sports can be a fun way to learn a new sport, meet people, and stay healthy during your time at school. Use the campus gym. Its most likely free, or very cheap. Make the most of it while you can. Get a workout partner. Not good at always making it to that 8:00 a.m. spin class? Find someone else who is interested in attending on a regular basis, and help hold each other accountable. Choose diet soda instead of regular. You might be surprised at how quickly all of those calories add up! Eat a salad (or a piece of fruit, or a healthy side veggie) with whatever else you grab for dinner. And do it every time. Eat a healthy breakfast. Your mom was right: your day does go better when you eat a good breakfast. Avoid the d onuts and grab some oatmeal to go. Keep healthy snacks in your room. Even if you dont have a fridge in your room, you can still keep pretzels, fruit (dried or fresh), healthy nuts, and energy bars on hand. Dont get dessert every time you eat. True, the dining hall may have unlimited self-serve ice cream, but that doesnt mean you should eat it every night. If youre going to order food late at night, make smart choices. Up late studying with your roommate and want to order pizza? Choose cheese only instead of loading up on toppings. Do something physical every weekend. Go for a run, join a pick-up game, play Ultimate Frisbee with some friends. Just get your body moving. Walk when you go off campus. Are your friends and you heading to a nice, neighborhood restaurant to get away for a while? If you can, try walking as a group instead of hopping in a car. Let yourself splurge every once in a while. Giving in to the self-serve ice cream machine is fine, as is the donut you are craving for breakfast, as long as you dont do it every day. But you do deserve a treat every once in a while! Drink water throughout the day. Do you go for 8 hours straight, from work to class to your club meeting to work again? Bring a water bottle with you to make sure you stay hydrated and healthy. Dont go long periods without eating. Running around all day, only to realize you havent eaten in a long time, isnt good for your body. It also may increase the likelihood that youll eat whats first available, instead of the food and nutrients your body needs. If you know you have a long day coming, pack some snacks ahead of time so your body has the fuel it needs to keep up with that big, college-educated brain of yours.