University of Rochester Pre-College: US Healthcare: Politics, Problems and Possibilities

If you have a passion for a certain subject and would like to explore it before college, here is your chance to do so—with one of the world's leading research universities. The Rochester Pre-College Online Program offers courses designed for high school students ages 13 and up. Each course features engaging video by Rochester faculty and access to mentors. The program is available year-round, and the online format lets you study anywhere, anytime, at your own pace.

If you ask your parents to describe healthcare when they were growing up, chances are it was a lot different than it is today. And since the birth of the Affordable Care Act, healthcare has changed even more. In this course, you will learn the history of how the U.S. system works and the turning points that influenced change. Get an in-depth look at the types of insurance available: employer-sponsored, Medicare, Medicaid, private plans and the ACA. You’ll also discover the difficult politics of reform and why healthcare is a flashpoint in our culture. If you're interested in medicine, healthcare, or public policy, this course is for you.

Topics covered in this course offer a good background for potential careers in fields related to healthcare administration, social work, insurance, and not-for-profit advocacy. If you find the nuts and bolts of healthcare interesting, then this course is for you.