Identify and describe at least three of the most difficult problems facing health care in the United States today. Williams and Torrens (2010) list the three most difficult problems facing healthcare. in the United States are: decision-making practices, administrative practices, and health system financing practices (page 337). The first problem facing healthcare in the United States is decision-making practices. In fact, the more laws, regulations, and court cases adjudicate ethical issues, the narrower the scope of ethical decision making by health care providers (Grad, FP, (1978), pages 19-36 ). The scope of decision-making by doctors and families is limited (Williams & Torrens, page 336). For example, the conditions for terminating life support for people in a persistent vegetative state are clearer when the patient has an up-to-date living will (Williams & Torrens, page 336). The second most difficult problem facing health care in the United States today concerns our administrative service practices. Important procedural contributions have been made to resolve disputes by authorizing, establishing and monitoring dispute resolution mechanisms or processes (Williams & Torrens, page 337). For example, health care facility ombudsmen are one way to ensure patient representation and advocacy (Williams & Torrens, page 337). They serve as a conduit for the ethical concerns of patients and their families (Williams & Torrens, page 337). Finally, financial problems pose difficulties for the American health system today. One of the highest ethical priorities in health care in the United States is achieving universal health insurance coverage of the population (Wi...... middle of paper ..... .ustice (Williams & Torrens, page 327 ). Economic disparity in society is a public health ethical issue linked to justice (Williams & Torrens, page 327). of income differences between the rich and the poor has a significant impact on the health of a population (Wilkinson, RG (1996), page 327). From a public health perspective, economic resources to support health services should be fair and equitable (Williams & Torrens, page 327).ReferencesGrad, FP (1978). Law. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 437, 19-36. Wilkinson, R.G. (1996). Unhealthy societies: The afflictions of inequality. London: Routledge. Williams, S.J. & Torrens, P.R. (Eds.). (2008). Introduction to health services: personalized edition 2010 (7th ed.). New York: Cengage Delmar Learning.