HS 103 San Jose State University Power to Heal Reflection Essay

Power to Heal ReflectionHS103 Fall 2019
This assignment is intended as an opportunity to develop your reflection and
critical thinking skills in relation to the health policy making process in the US. See the
assignment requirements below.
A. Please, watch the Power to Heal documentary
B. Following your viewing of the documentary, please answer the following six questions in
one to two thoughtful, clear, cohesive, and well written paragraphs per question (see
rubric on CANVAS under “Power to Heal” online assignment).
C. Make sure to use Times New Roman, size 12, double space
D. Your assignment should be a minimum of two pages and a maximum of four full length
pages total of your own original work.
E. Remember that Turn It In will be activated for this assignment (Do NOT include the
question statements in your final submission as they will increase
your turn it in score).
Your grade will be based on: demonstrations of reflection, insights, and critical
thinking for each question; appropriate length paragraphs for all of the questions;
spelling, grammar, punctuation; following instructions; and use of statements from
the documentary including coherence, thoughtfulness, and in-depth reflection.
1. Prior to 1965 what hospital practices were contributing to the disparities in life
expectancy and infant mortality for African American patients? What was legally
validating these hospital practices?
2. In your opinion why was the formation of the National Medical Association necessary?
Do you see forms of institutional racism happening today? Provide a current example.
3. The Power to Heal video indicated that “living separate but equal” made individuals
sicker than others. In what ways do you think this was true?
4. What strategies and/or tactics did President Johnson use to ensure the passage of
Medicare? Today, what type of strategies do you think are needed to encourage support
for universal healthcare in the US?
5. Power to Heal illustrates how Movement leaders and grass-roots volunteers pressed and
worked with the federal government to achieve justice and fairness for African
Americans. Explain how federal funding requirements contributed to desegregated
medical care. Why was it necessary? Do you believe US medical care is integrated
today? Why or why not?
6. The hospitals “resisting change” is not an uncommon theme in healthcare. Can you
describe another time in healthcare that people had a difficult time adjusting to change?