Health Care Delivery System in the United States - 1327 Words

Health Care Delivery System in the United States Diana Horton Trident University Health Care Delivery Systems MHA507 Dr. Thomas Esch January 19, 2013 Health Care Delivery System in the United States Introduction: The problem: Access to health care physically and financially, healthcare system in today’s society has failed to provide quality care for the U.S. Americans. There are so many ways that the system falls short in providing proper care. The healthcare is mainly based on the government to provide care for a particular group of people according to their income and not everyone has the same treatment, some having to pay for care through some type of insurance premium. When looking at this system of care, families are all†¦show more content†¦This would be balanced to assist families with affordable insurance and benefit the insurance market that would create a quality delivery system as well as cost efficient. The responsibilities to the family is following the guidelines and policy, maintaining their health by having their yearly check-ups, scheduling routine appointments to see their provider as necessary when a problem may arise and maintaining their ins urance coverage. The shared responsibilities is the insurance companies provide a stable plan that will improve the delivery system by making American families a priority with having access to a health care system in which quality care is provided and affordable to the family. Solution to health care expenditure, Preventive measures and promoting health can help with health care spending. Management of long –care diseases and establishing a good foundation with advance health technology well build better patient satisfaction, along with cost effectiveness. The reforms improvements values is not a routine step, many believe that the change in delivery systems may decrease the costs, but some feel that it should be more stable in costs by establishing guidelines that are more promising and effective. These guidelines and policies should be put in place to improve the health care system.(brennan, cafarella, kocot, mckethan, morrison, nguyen, shepherd and Williams,2009). Solut ion to quality of care,Show MoreRelatedHealth Care Delivery System in the United States1460 Words   |  6 PagesThe United States health care delivery system is comprised of a complex, unorganized and flawed health system, compared to that of Australia’s health care system. The four components of the inefficient system in the United States are categorized into a quad-functional model. Financing, insurance, deliver and payment are the four flawed components. Australia’s efficient and organized system is based on a national health system, which consists of one central agency; the government. The United StatesRead MoreHealth Care Delivery System Of The United States877 Words   |  4 PagesHealth Care Delivery System The health care delivery system of the United States is unique compared to the other developed countries. The health care system of United States relies on the development and implementation of new health care technology. The use of new technology in the field of health care will help to provide services with increased quality and efficacy (Shi Singh, 2015). The external forces affecting the provision of health care delivery also has an inevitable role in the functioningRead MoreHealth Care Delivery System During The United States1752 Words   |  8 PagesHealth Care Delivery System in the United States The whole world has issues with healthcare and how to provide care for all their citizens. The United States is currently in the process of making changes to its healthcare system. There are currently multiple types of health insurance in the United States. Today, I will address the health care insurance I have, its products, source of my insurance, my out-of-pocket expenses, the level of coverage I receive with my plan, the major limitations to myRead MoreAdministrations Health Care Delivery System in the United States688 Words   |  3 PagesExamine the Administrations Health Care Delivery System in the United States Over the last several years, a wide variety of health care organizations have been facing a number of challenges. This is because of pressures associated with: rising costs, increasing demands and larger numbers of patients. For many facilities this has created a situation where patient safety issues are often overlooked. This is because the staff is facing tremendous amounts of pressure, long hours and more patientsRead MoreHealth Care Delivery System Throughout The United States1891 Words   |  8 PagesHealth Care Delivery System in the United States Healthcare is a hot topic for all Americans and everyone has their own views on how the healthcare system should run. This includes the public and the politicians. Today we are going to address issues in the United States healthcare system including access to care for both physical and financial reasons, how payment for care runs the industry, and quality of care in the aspects of internal factors including: public insurance plans, and private insuranceRead MoreObservations And Analysis Of The United States Health Care Delivery System1403 Words   |  6 Pagesand analysis of the comparison: The Matrix tells that the US health care delivery system that (The process that enables people to receive health care or the provision of health care services to patients) is complex and massive, and despite the uniqueness of the US health care delivery system, but it lacks the universal access (no national health care program); therefore, not all population has continuous and comprehensive health care. Its mission is to have universal access with better quality.Read MoreHealth Care Systems Are Different In Every Country Around1603 Words   |  7 PagesHealth care systems are different in every country around the world. There are four main components that complete a health care delivery system, described by Shi and Singh (2015) as the quad-function model, which includes insurance, financing, payment and delivery of care (p. 5). Along with the components of the quad-function model it is important to analyze a countries access to care, their health outcomes and how public health is in tegrated into the health care delivery system. The United StatesRead MoreHealth Delivery System Of The United States1539 Words   |  7 PagesTutor: Date: Health delivery system in the US versus England The background of health delivery system in both US and England The health care system of the United States is different. This term means an act of offering patients health care services. 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Poverty and lack of education play a major role in these health issuesRead MoreTechnological Advances in the United S tates Healthcare1220 Words   |  5 PagesTechnological Advances Healthcare delivery in the United States has morphed through substantial changes over the years with most changes occurring as a result of technological advances in medicine. Though technological advances directly affect health care delivery in America, other factors affect it as well. As reported by Ball (2012), two of the earliest and most important technological advances that affected the system of health care delivery in the United States were the invention of the x-ray and

Climate Change Causes And Effects - 1781 Words

Climate change, either caused by humans, or naturally occurring, is beginning to affect several areas around the world and is causing human environmental insecurity in some already weakened states and regions. Climate change is defined simply as changes in the earth’s weather patterns. Change in climate becomes a security concern, for example, if decreased rainfall equates to decreased crop production in what was once a dependable food source that has now disappeared. The lack of this resource may produce rioting, corruption and increased crime for a replacement food source resulting in human migration causing instability in a nation or neighboring region. Using a constructivist lens to explain and counteract the deleterious effects of†¦show more content†¦In order to help mitigate a loss or have orderly migratory human movement from an area of danger or an inhospitable location to a safer settlement involves use of regional norms and shared values for peaceful solu tions and negotiations. From a Realism perspective, any attempt to solve refugee movement would include balance of power and control to ensure compliance with a selected course of action. The Liberalism perspective would want a promise of democratization and full use of the rule of law of the areas involved for peaceful solution making. Both the Realistic and Liberalistic viewpoints and solutions are more subject to resistance or dissatisfaction among participants because reciprocal tasks are attached. Contrast those with the constructivist vision that change is possible and sharing of ideas/solutions creates viable solutions that all involved can accept and support. The constructivist preferred portion of the Instruments of Power (IOP) is the diplomatic realm and secondarily using information and economic power plays. Rarely would the military IOP be used and only as a last resort. If all other IOPs are fully used and the required result is not achieved to ensure U.S. national security, then a show of force or threat of force may be necessary. According to JP-1, the IOP which are Diplomatic, Information, Military, andShow MoreRelatedCause And Effect Of Climate Change Essay1220 Words   |  5 PagesCause and effects of Climate Change. General purpose: to inform. Specific purpose: After hearing my speech my audience will know what climate change is, what causes it and its effects now and in the future. Thesis Statement: Climate change is a very important issue that affects all of us. Organization pattern: Cause and effect. Introduction: I. (Attention-getter): How do you explain that 30 years ago we had a different weather than today? When you look at yourself in a dirty mirror; can you seeRead MoreCauses And Effects Of Climate Change1706 Words   |  7 PagesDiscuss the causes and effects of climate change. Present any solutions that are relevant to these issues. Probably the most anxious threat to our earth in these two decades is climate change. Climate change refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other saying, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer (Epa.gov, 2015). The rateRead MoreClimate Change : Causes And Effects934 Words   |  4 Pages Climate Change Paper Kaitlyn Yinger 4-17-15 Erin Reese Biology 122: 10:30-12:45 Climate Change What really causes climate change? Is it human cause or is a natural process that is happening? I think that us as humans contribute more to climate change then natural causes. 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Specific purpose: After hearing my speech, my audience will know more what climate change is, what causes it and its effects now and in the future. Thesis Statement: Climate change is a very important issue that affects all of us, we need to know more about this issue. Organization pattern: Cause and effect. Introduction: I. (Attention-getter): When you look at yourselfRead MoreThe Causes And Effects Of Climate Change1690 Words   |  7 Pagesdebates about the pros and cons of climate change and what are the causes and effects of climate change. There are those who argue that the rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases in our environment are as a direct result of human activities. Some activities that are at the top of the list include but are not limited to the burning of fossil fuels, the cutting down of our forest, these activities are causing significant and increasingly severe climate changes which include global warming. GlobalRead MoreClimate Change : Causes And Effects1113 Words   |  5 Pages Climate Change: Causes and Effects Student’s Name: Institutional Affiliation: Climate Change: Causes and Effects According to Adger (2010), the combined effect of climate change and limitations of resources is serving as a threat to the sustainability of the current social-economic systems and is poised to affect our way of life. Climatic change is more than global warming. The rise in temperatures is but part of the broader changes leading to extreme temperatures, drought, floodingRead MoreClimate Change : Causes And Effects1347 Words   |  6 Pagesdebated topic of climate change. Climate change is no myth; it’s a further analysis of how our planet is suffering the negative effects of human carelessness, which can be observed through the glaciers worldwide. Due to fossil fuel consumption and deforestation, greenhouse gasses are beyond regular amounts and affecting the glaciers, causing them to melt and increase ocean and sea levels. To further understand Climate Change, one must recognize what it is. When people ponder about climate, they thinkRead MoreClimate Change : Causes And Effects Essay1856 Words   |  8 PagesClimate change: Climate change is caused mainly by increase of human activity and industrialisation. For example, activities such as driving cars, farming, burning coal and cutting down forests produce greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide which are emitted into the atmosphere, which create a layer of greenhouse gases around the earth and trap the sun s heat. The earth over its 4.5 billion-year history has naturally fluctuated from ice ages to extreme droughts, howeverRead MoreClimate Change : Causes, Effects And Solutions1774 Words   |  8 Pageslately on the causes, effects and solutions of global climate change. Nearly every day, scientists and politicians speak about the subject, or we hear about it in the news media. On September 23, 2014, President Obama remarked at a U.N. Climate Change Summit that â€Å"-- there’s one issue that will define the contours of this century more dramatically than any other, and that is the urgent and growing threat of a changing climate† (The White House). The science of climate and climate change involves many

The Host EPILOGUE. Continued Free Essays

I was not the same. This was my first rebirth into a body of the same species. I found the transfer much more difficult than changing planets because I had so many expectations about being human already in place. We will write a custom essay sample on The Host EPILOGUE. Continued or any similar topic only for you Order Now Also, I’d inherited a lot of things from Petals Open to the Moon, and not all of them were pleasant. I’d inherited a great deal of grief for Cloud Spinner. I missed the mother I’d never known and mourned for her suffering now. Perhaps there could be no joy on this planet without an equal weight of pain to balance it out on some unknown scale. I’d inherited unexpected limitations. I was used to a body that was strong and fast and tall-a body that could run for miles, go without food and water, lift heavy weights, and reach high shelves. This body was weak-and not just physically. This body seized up with crippling shyness every time I was unsure of myself, which seemed to be often these days. I’d inherited a different role in the human community. People carried things for me now and let me pass first into a room. They gave me the easiest chores and then, half the time, took the work right out of my hands anyway. Worse than that, I needed the help. My muscles were soft and not used to labor. I tired easily, and my attempts to hide that fooled no one. I probably couldn’t have run a mile without stopping. There was more to this easy treatment than just my physical weakness, though. I was used to a pretty face, but one that people were able to look at with fear, mistrust, even hatred. My new face defied such emotions. People touched my cheeks often, or put their fingers under my chin, holding my face up to see it better. I was frequently patted on my head (which was in easy reach, since I was shorter than everyone but the children), and my hair was stroked so regularly that I stopped noticing when it happened. Those who had never accepted me before did this as often as my friends. Even Lucina put up only a token resistance when her children began following me like two adoring puppies. Freedom, in particular, crawled onto my lap at every opportunity, burrowing his face in my hair. Isaiah was too big for such displays of affection, but he liked to hold my hand-just the same size as his-while chattering excitedly with me about Spiders and Dragons, soccer and raids. The children still wouldn’t go anywhere near Melanie; their mother had frightened them too thoroughly before for her reassurances to change things now. Even Maggie and Sharon, though they still tried not to look at me, could not maintain their former rigidity in my presence. My body was not the only change. The monsoons came late to the desert, and I was glad. For one thing, I’d never smelled the rain on the creosotes before-I could only vaguely remember it from my memories of Melanie’s memories, a very dim trail of recall indeed-and now the scent washed out the musty caves, left them smelling fresh and almost spicy. The scent clung to my hair and followed me everywhere. I smelled it in my dreams. Also, Petals Open to the Moon had lived in Seattle all her life, and the unbroken streak of blue skies and blistering heat was as bewildering-almost numbing-to my system as the dark press of heavy overcast skies would have been to any of these desert dwellers. The clouds were exciting, a change from the bland, featureless pale blue. They had depth and movement. They made pictures in the sky. There was a great deal of reshuffling to be done in Jeb’s caves, and the move to the big game room-now the communal sleeping quarters-was good preparation for more permanent arrangements to follow. Every space was needed, so rooms could not remain vacant. Still, only the newcomers, Candy-who had remembered her correct name at last-and Lacey, could bear to take Wes’s old space. I pitied Candy for her future roommate, but the Healer never betrayed any discontent at the prospect. When the rains ended, Jamie would move into a free corner in Brandt and Aaron’s cave. Melanie and Jared had kicked Jamie out of their room and into Ian’s before I’d been reborn in Pet’s body; Jamie wasn’t so young that they’d needed to give him any excuse. Kyle was working on widening the small crevice that had been Walter’s sleeping space so that it would be ready when the desert was dry again. It really wasn’t big enough for more than one, and Kyle would not be staying there alone. At night in the game room, Sunny slept curled into a ball against Kyle’s chest, like a kitten who was friends with a big dog-a rottweiler whom she trusted implicitly. Sunny was always with Kyle. I couldn’t remember ever seeing them unattached since I’d opened these silver gray eyes for the first time. Kyle seemed constantly bemused, too distracted by this impossible relationship he couldn’t quite wrap his head around to pay attention to much else. He wasn’t giving up on Jodi, but as Sunny clung to him, he held her to his side with gentle hands. Before the rain, every space was taken, so I stayed with Doc in the hospital that no longer frightened me. The cots were not comfortable, but it was a very interesting place to be. Candy remembered the details of Summer Song’s life better than her own; the hospital was a place of miracles now. After the rain, Doc would not be sleeping in the hospital anymore. The first night in the game room, Sharon had dragged her mattress right next to Doc’s without a word of explanation. Perhaps it was Doc’s fascination with the Healer that motivated Sharon, though I doubted Doc had even noticed how pretty the older woman was; his fascination was with her phenomenal knowledge. Or maybe it was just that Sharon was ready to forgive and forget. I hoped that was the case. It would be nice to think that even Sharon and Maggie might be softened over time. I would not stay in the hospital anymore, either. The crucial conversation with Ian might never have taken place if not for Jamie. My mouth would go all dry and my palms would sweat whenever I so much as thought of bringing it up. What if those feelings in the hospital, those few perfect moments of certainty right after I’d awoken in this body, had been illusion? What if I remembered them wrong? I knew that nothing had changed for me, but how could I be certain Ian felt the same? The body he’d fallen in love with was still right here! I expected him to be unsettled-we all were. If it was difficult for me, a soul used to such changes, how hard must it be for the humans? I was working to put the last of the jealousy and the perplexing echoes of the love I still felt for Jared behind me. I didn’t need or want them. Ian was the right partner for me. But sometimes I would catch myself staring at Jared and feel confused. I’d seen Melanie touch Ian’s arm or hand and then jerk away as if she’d suddenly remembered who she was. Even Jared, who had the least reason for uncertainty, would occasionally meet my confused gaze with a searching one of his own. And Ian†¦ Of course it must have been hardest for him. I understood that. We were together nearly as much as Kyle and Sunny. Ian constantly touched my face and hair, was always holding my hands. But who did not respond to this body that way? And wasn’t it platonic for everyone else? Why didn’t he kiss me again, the way he had that first day? Maybe he could never love me inside this body, as appealing as it seemed to be to all the other humans here. That worry was heavy in my heart the night Ian had carried my cot-because it was too heavy for me-to the big, dark game room. It was raining for the first time in more than six months. There were both laughter and complaints as people shook out their damp bedding and arranged their places. I saw Sharon with Doc and smiled. â€Å"Over here, Wanda,† Jamie called, waving me toward where he’d just set his mattress next to Ian’s. â€Å"There’s room for all three of us now.† Jamie was the one person who treated me almost exactly the same as before. He did make allowances for my puny physique, but he never seemed surprised to see me enter a room or shocked when Wanderer’s words came through these lips. â€Å"You don’t really want that cot, do you, Wanda? I’ll bet we could all fit okay on the mattresses if we shoved them together.† Jamie grinned at me while he kicked one mattress into the other without waiting for agreement. â€Å"You don’t take up much space.† He took the cot from Ian and set it on its side, out of the way. Then Jamie stretched out on the very edge of the far mattress and turned his back to us. â€Å"Oh, hey, Ian,† he added without turning. â€Å"I talked to Brandt and Aaron, and I think I’m going to move in with them. Well, I’m beat. Night, guys.† I stared at Jamie’s unmoving form for a long moment. Ian was just as motionless. He couldn’t have been having a panic attack, too, though. Was he thinking of some way to extricate himself from the situation? â€Å"Lights out,† Jeb bellowed from across the room. â€Å"Everybody shut yer trap so I can get some shut-eye.† People laughed, but took him seriously as always. One by one, the four lamps were dimmed until the room was black. Ian’s hand found mine; it was warm. Did he notice how cold and sweaty my skin was? He sank to his knees on the mattress, tugging me gently along. I followed and lay down on the seam between the beds. He kept my hand. â€Å"Is this okay?† Ian whispered. There were other hushed conversations going on around us, made indistinct by the rush of the sulfur spring. â€Å"Yes, thank you,† I answered. Jamie rolled over, shaking the mattress and knocking into me. â€Å"Oops, sorry, Wanda,† he murmured, and then I heard him yawn. Automatically, I shifted out of his way. Ian was closer than I’d thought. I gasped quietly when I ran into him, then tried to give him some room. His arm was suddenly around me, holding me to his body. It was the strangest feeling; having Ian’s arm around me in this very nonplatonic way reminded me oddly of my first experience with No Pain. Like I’d been in agony without realizing it, and his touch had taken all the hurt away. That feeling erased my shyness. I rolled so that I was facing him, and he tightened his arm around me. â€Å"Is this okay?† I whispered, repeating his question. He kissed my forehead. â€Å"Better than okay.† We were silent for a few minutes. Most of the other conversations had died out. He bent down so that his lips were at my ear and whispered, quieter than before, â€Å"Wanda, do you think†¦?† He fell silent. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Well, it looks like I have a room all to myself now. That’s not right.† â€Å"No. There’s not enough space for you to be alone.† â€Å"I don’t want to be alone. But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Why wouldn’t he ask? â€Å"But what?† â€Å"Have you had enough time to sort things out yet? I don’t want to rush you. I know it’s confusing†¦ with Jared†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It took me a moment to process what he was saying, but then I giggled quietly. Melanie wasn’t much given to giggling, but Pet had been, and her body betrayed me at this most inopportune moment. â€Å"What?† he demanded. â€Å"I was giving you time to sort things out,† I explained in a whisper. â€Å"I didn’t want to rush you-because I know it’s confusing. With Melanie.† He jumped just a little in surprise. â€Å"You thought†¦? But Melanie isn’t you. I was never confused.† I was smiling in the dark now. â€Å"And Jared isn’t you.† His voice was tighter when he answered. â€Å"But he’s still Jared. And you love him.† Ian was jealous again? I shouldn’t have been pleased by negative emotions, but I had to admit this was encouraging. â€Å"Jared is my past, another life. You are my present.† He was quiet for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was rough with emotion. â€Å"And your future, if you want that.† â€Å"Yes, please.† And then he kissed me in the most unplatonic way possible under the crowded circumstances, and I was thrilled to remember that I’d been smart enough to lie about my age. The rains would end, and when they did, Ian and I would be together, partners in the truest sense. This was a promise and an obligation I had never had in all my lives. Thinking of it made me feel joyful and anxious and shy and desperately impatient all at the same time-made me feel human. After all this had been settled, Ian and I were more inseparable than ever. So when it came time for me to test my new face on the other souls, of course he went with me. This raid was a relief for me after long weeks of frustration. It was bad enough that my new body was weak and nearly useless in the caves; I couldn’t believe it when the others didn’t want to let me use my body for the one thing it was perfect for. Jared had specifically approved of Jamie’s choice because of this guileless, vulnerable face that no one could ever doubt, this delicate build that anyone would be motivated to protect, but even he had a hard time putting his theory into practice. I was sure raiding would be every bit as easy for me now as it had been before, but Jared, Jeb, Ian, and the others-everyone but Jamie and Mel-debated for days, trying to find a way around using me for that. It was ridiculous. I saw them eyeing Sunny, but she was still unproven, not trusted. On top of that, Sunny had absolutely no intention of setting one foot outside. The very word raid had her cowering in terror. Kyle would not go out with us; Sunny had gone hysterical the one time he’d mentioned it. In the end, practicality had won out. I was needed. It was good to be needed. Supplies had been dwindling; this would be a long, thorough trip. Jared was leading the raid, as usual, so it went without saying that Melanie was included. Aaron and Brandt volunteered, not that we really needed the muscle; they were tired of being cooped up. We were going far to the north, and I was excited to see the new places-to feel the cold again. Excitement got a bit out of hand in this body. I was bouncy and hyper the night we drove to the rock slide where the van and the big moving truck were hidden. Ian was laughing at me because I could hardly hold still as we loaded the clothes and sundries we would need into the van. He held my hand, he said, to tether me to the surface of the planet. Was I too loud? Too oblivious to my surroundings? No, of course that was not it. There was nothing I could have done. This was a trap, and it was too late for us the minute we arrived. We froze when the thin beams of light shot out of the darkness into Jared’s and Melanie’s faces. My face, my eyes, the ones that might have helped us, stayed obscured, hidden in the shadow made by Ian’s wide back. My eyes were not blinded by the glare, and the moon was bright enough for me to clearly see the Seekers that outnumbered us, eight to our six. Bright enough for me to see the way they held their hands, to see the weapons that glinted in them, raised and pointed at us. Pointed at Jared and Mel, at Brandt and Aaron-our only gun still undrawn-and one centered dead on Ian’s chest. Why had I let him come with me? Why did he have to die, too? Lily’s bewildered questions echoed in my head: Why did life and love go on? What was the point? My fragile little heart shattered into a million pieces, and I fumbled for the pill in my pocket. â€Å"Steady, now, everybody just keep calm,† the man in the center of the group of Seekers called out. â€Å"Wait, wait, don’t be swallowing anything! Jeez, get a grip! No, look!† The man turned the flashlight on his own face. His face was sun browned and craggy, like a rock that had been eroded by the wind. His hair was dark, with white at the temples, and it curled in a bushy mess around his ears. And his eyes-his eyes were dark brown. Just dark brown, nothing more. â€Å"See?† he said. â€Å"Okay, now, you don’t shoot us, and we won’t shoot you. See?† And he laid the gun he was carrying to the ground. â€Å"C’mon, guys,† he said, and the others slid their guns back into holsters-on their hips, their ankles, their backs†¦ so many weapons. â€Å"We found your cache here-clever, that; we were lucky to find it-and decided we’d hang out and make your acquaintance. It’s not every day you find another rebel cell.† He laughed a delighted laugh that came from deep in his belly. â€Å"Look at your faces! What? Did you think you all were the only ones still kickin’?† He laughed again. None of us had moved an inch. â€Å"Think they’re in shock, Nate,† another man said. â€Å"We scared them half to death,† a woman said. â€Å"What do you expect?† They waited, shuffling from foot to foot, while we stood frozen. Jared was the first to recover. â€Å"Who are you?† he whispered. The leader laughed again. â€Å"I’m Nate-nice to meet you, though you might not feel the same way just yet. This here’s Rob, Evan, Blake, Tom, Kim, and Rachel along with me.† He gestured around the group as he spoke, and the humans nodded at their names. I noticed one man, a little to the back, whom Nate did not introduce. He had bright, crinkly ginger hair that stood out-especially because he was the tallest in the group. He alone seemed to be unarmed. He was also staring intently at me, so I looked away. â€Å"There’s twenty-two of us altogether, though,† Nate continued. Nate held out his hand. Jared took a deep breath and then a step forward. When he moved, the rest of our little group silently exhaled all at once. â€Å"I’m Jared.† He shook Nate’s hand, then started to smile. â€Å"This is Melanie, Aaron, Brandt, Ian, and Wanda. There are thirty-seven of us altogether.† When Jared spoke my name, Ian shifted his weight, trying to obscure me completely from the other humans’ view. It was only then that I realized I was still in just as much danger as the others would have been in if these had been Seekers. Just like in the beginning. I tried to hold perfectly still. Nate blinked at Jared’s revelation, and then his eyes widened. â€Å"Wow. That’s the first time I’ve ever been one-upped on that one.† Now Jared blinked. â€Å"You’ve found others?† â€Å"There are three other cells separate from ours that we know of. Eleven with Gail, seven with Russell, and eighteen with Max. We keep in touch. Even trade now and then.† Again, the belly laugh. â€Å"Gail’s little Ellen decided she wanted to keep company with my Evan here, and Carlos took up with Russell’s Cindy. And, of course, everyone needs Burns now and then -† He stopped talking abruptly, glancing uneasily around him, as if he’d said something he shouldn’t have. His eyes rested briefly on the tall redhead in the back, who was still staring at me. â€Å"Might as well get that out of the way,† the small dark man at Nate’s elbow said. Nate shot a suspicious glance across our little line. â€Å"Okay. Rob’s right. Let’s get this out there.† He took a deep breath. â€Å"Now, you all just take it easy and hear us out. Calmly, please. This upsets people sometimes.† â€Å"Every time,† the one named Rob muttered. His hand drifted to the holster on his thigh. â€Å"What?† Jared asked in a flat voice. Nate sighed and then gestured to the tall man with the ginger red hair. The man stepped forward, a wry smile on his face. He had freckles, like me, only thousands more. They were scattered so thick across his face that he looked dark skinned, though he was fair. His eyes were dark-navy blue, maybe. â€Å"This here is Burns. Now, he’s with us, so don’t go crazy. He’s my best friend-saved my life a hundred times. He’s one of our family, and we don’t take kindly to it when people try to kill him.† One of the women slowly pulled her gun out and held it pointed at the ground. The redhead spoke for the first time in a distinctly gentle tenor voice. â€Å"No, it’s okay, Nate. See? They’ve got one of their own.† He pointed straight at me, and Ian tensed. â€Å"Looks like I’m not the only one who’s gone native.† Burns grinned at me, then crossed the empty space, the no-man’s-land between the two tribes, with his hand stretched out toward me. I stepped out from around Ian, ignoring his muttered warning, abruptly comfortable and sure. I liked the way Burns had phrased it. Gone native. Burns stopped in front of me, lowering his hand a bit to compensate for the considerable difference in our heights. I took his hand-it was hard and callused next to my delicate skin-and shook it. â€Å"Burns Living Flowers,† he introduced himself. My eyes widened at his name. Fire World-how unexpected. â€Å"Wanderer,† I told him. â€Å"It’s†¦ extraordinary to meet you, Wanderer. And here I thought I was one of a kind.† â€Å"Not even close,† I said, thinking of Sunny back in the caves. Perhaps we were none of us as rare as we thought. He raised an eyebrow at my answer, intrigued. â€Å"Is that so?† he said. â€Å"Well, maybe there’s some hope for this planet, after all.† â€Å"It’s a strange world,† I murmured, more to myself than to the other native soul. â€Å"The strangest,† he agreed. How to cite The Host EPILOGUE. Continued, Essay examples

Sears Case Study free essay sample

Sears is our nation’s fourth largest retailer. With over 4,000 stores in the United States and Canada, Sears has grown from its humble beginnings. Sears is a leader in apparel, home appliances, home, lawn and garden, tools, automotive repair, maintenance, and electronics. Sears also provides home service, serving 11 million service calls yearly. Richard Sears founded Sears as a mail order company and it grew to be one of the largest retailers. He opened the first department store in Chicago in 1925. Sears found success and by 1928 three more stores had opened. Now Sears employs 249,000 employees and it has grown quickly. In 2005, Sears merged with K-Mart and has helped both evolve and the merger proved to be both successful and positive. Although they have faced challenges along the way they have been able to gain a large market share because of their product mix, quality services, products, and solutions. No matter what difficulties they have faced Sears has been a leader in the retail industry and they will strive to be sure that doesn’t change. We will write a custom essay sample on Sears Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sears has come a long way from its beginnings as a catalog. Sears has many unique attributes that make it a place that people want to shop. Despite their great accomplishment and striving to become one the largest and most competitive retailers, Sears is facing several key issues. Sears must reevaluate their internal and external environment in order to implement the changes and solutions necessary to get Sears back to where it needs to be. Company Analysis Organization and Leadership Sears has an overall good practical structure. This has definitely been key to their success because they are able to tailor their products to their customers needs using an integrated cost leadership/differentiation strategy. Sear is competing in a very competitive industry and if they follow through with their differentiated strategy they will continue to improve. Sears was able to pursue low cost and provide differentiation to their customers. Rosa Corporate Financial Position Sears financial position is currently improving. They are dealing with not only a let down on their fourth quarter losses but the sales have decreased as well in both their department stores and Kmart unit. To deal with their losses they are in the process of selling 11 stores to make up for their finances which has made their stocks go up at 19% (MarketWatch, 2012). If they sell these properties they could earn around $270 million in proceeds. It could go either way though since when sales decrease selling assets may not be the right way to bring in growth in the future. Also if they follow their plan of moving Sears Hometown and Outlet stores they could bring in between $400 million to $500 million of proceeds during the third fiscal quarter (SHLD: Nasdaq, 2012). Sears net income has dropped continually year after year from $235. M to a mere $133. 0m. One reason being is the percentage of sales has been more focused on the SGA (Sales General Administration) costs which has made it go from 23. 69% to 24. 09% (SHLD:Nasdaq GS, 2012). Core Competency The main core competency would have to be in there customer service. They offer great service to their customers which has gave them a comp etitive advantage against competitors. They use this to differentiate themselves from competition. They have built up a good customer base. They make sure they have their best associates available for customers especially through peak hours. Although, things could be a little different in terms of bargaining power from product to product, Sears has the advantage of being a top retailer and leads the way with relative bargaining power. As the number one home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, and home electronics, Sears has established deep roots in their line of business. Sears remains honest with their customers and provides high-quality products at bargain prices. As a result of long, developed relationships with suppliers, Sears has the ability to buy in high volumes and sell for less. With this in mind, the power of suppliers is a similar story within Sears’ industry environment. It varies from supplier to supplier due to Sears’ product variety and differentiation. In the retail industry, suppliers tend to have very little power. Sears has a high standard for quality, especially in its line of household appliances, so suppliers that don’t meet these standards are of no interest. Additionally, Sears has been working with its suppliers for a very long time, so they have gained the right amount of bargaining power to ensure low prices and good quality products and services.