In 2010, the Affordable Care Act opens up the 45-year-old Medicare program to the biggest changes since its inception. Discuss the components of the Affordable Care Act that you think will have a positive effect on improving health care outcomes and decreasing costs.
The discussion must address the topic.
Rationale must be provided
400 words in your initial post by Wednesday 23:59 pm
Minimum of two scholarly references in APA format within the last five years published
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 with the aim of improving health care outcomes and decreasing costs. Here are some of the components of the ACA that I believe will have a positive effect on health care.
Expansion of Medicaid: One of the key provisions of the ACA was the expansion of Medicaid to cover more low-income individuals. This expansion has allowed millions of Americans who previously had no health insurance to have access to affordable health care. The expansion of Medicaid has helped to improve health care outcomes by making health care accessible to a larger number of individuals who may not have been able to afford it otherwise.
Provision of subsidies: The ACA also provides subsidies to individuals who purchase health insurance through the marketplace. This helps to make insurance more affordable for individuals who may not have been able to afford it otherwise. The subsidies also help to ensure that individuals are able to get the health care they need, which can help to improve health outcomes.
Implementation of health insurance exchanges: The ACA also established health insurance exchanges, which are online marketplaces where individuals can compare and purchase health insurance plans. This has made it easier for individuals to find the health insurance plan that best fits their needs, which can help to improve health care outcomes.
Prevention and public health initiatives: The ACA also provides funding for various prevention and public health initiatives, such as community health centers, preventive services, and public health research. These initiatives can help to prevent diseases and illnesses before they occur, which can help to improve health care outcomes and reduce costs.
Promoting quality of care: The ACA also includes provisions aimed at improving the quality of care provided to patients. For example, it encourages the use of electronic health records and provides incentives for providers to participate in programs aimed at improving quality of care. These provisions can help to reduce medical errors and improve health care outcomes.
In conclusion, the Affordable Care Act has numerous components that have the potential to improve health care outcomes and decrease costs. These include the expansion of Medicaid, provision of subsidies, implementation of health insurance exchanges, prevention and public health initiatives, and promoting quality of care.
References:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/cciio/programs-and-initiatives/individual-market-reforms/aca-key-provisions
Council of Economic Advisers. (2016). The Affordable Care Act has reduced the number of uninsured Americans by over 20 million and slowed the growth of health care costs. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/page/files/20161115_cea_aca_health_care.pdf
