Affordable Care Act

law passed in 2010 for a major regulatory reform of US healthcare

Hippocratic Oath

a promise of professional behavior made by doctors beginning their careers; promises ethical and honest practice of the medical profession

caduceus

an emblem of medicine in the United States

epidemic

an outbreak of a disease that affects many people and spreads rapidly

antibiotics

drugs that slow the growth of, or destroy bacteria; used to treat infections

vaccination

the use of medicines that contain weakened or dead bacteria or viruses to build immunity and prevent disease

quarantine

the process of isolating people who have been exposed to infectious or contagious disease

microscope

an instrument that uses a lens to magnify objects too small to be seen with the naked eye

anesthesia

loss of feeling with or without the loss of consciousness

pathogens

disease producing microorganisms

psychoanalysis

a method of analyzing and treating mental and emotional disorders through sessions in which the patient is encouraged to talk about personal experience and dreams

genomic medicine

a branch of medicine that studies a person's DNA sequences, which carry genetic information

medicare

A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older

premium

the amount an insured person pays to his or her insurance company to maintain coverage

copayment

a fixed amount paid for a covered health care service, usually when service is provided; amount varies depending on type of health insurance a person has

medicaid

a program jointly funded by state and federal taxes that provides medical aid for low-income individuals of all ages; managed by the states

worker's compensation

a form of government insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits for employees injured at work

managed care

a general term for any healthcare plan that emphasizes wellness and provides healthcare through a network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers

health maintance organizations (HMO)

managed care organizations that provide prepaid, comprehensive healthcare at a flat rate and for a fixed period of time through a network of participating healthcare professionals and hospitals; policyholders select a primary care physician (PCP) and referrals from the PCP must be obtained to see a specialist

preferred provider organizations (PPO)

Health insurance organizations that contract with a network of preferred providers from which the policyholder can choose; often involves an annual deductible payment for service, but patients do not have a designated primary care physician and may self-refer to specialists

deductible

the amount you owe for covered healthcare services before your health insurance plan begins to pay

United States Public Health Service

federal agency that dates back to the late 1700s whose mission is to promote public health

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

a government agency that creates regulations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on disease outbreaks and prevention in the United States

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

a government agency that regulates products in the food and drug industries and develops nutrition facts labels to help consumers make informed food choices

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

A division of the Department of Health and Human Services that conducts research and provides information to promote and improve public health through 27 different agencies

World Health Organization (WHO)

an agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health

hospice

a type of care designed to relieve pain and reduce suffering in terminally i'll patients

self-advocacy

refers to an individual's ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate, or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights