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 healthcare outcomes and decreasing costs. 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 enacted in 2010 with the objective of expanding access to healthcare and improving healthcare outcomes in the United States. The ACA introduced various components aimed at achieving these goals, some of which are expected to have a positive effect on improving healthcare outcomes and decreasing costs.
One significant component of the ACA that is expected to have a positive effect on healthcare outcomes is the expansion of Medicaid. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Prior to the ACA, Medicaid eligibility was limited, leaving many low-income individuals without healthcare coverage. However, the ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility to include individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. This expansion has resulted in increased healthcare coverage for millions of individuals who were previously uninsured or underinsured.
Research has shown that Medicaid expansion under the ACA has led to improved healthcare outcomes. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed data from multiple states and found that Medicaid expansion was associated with increased access to primary care, improved self-reported health, and reduced mortality rates among low-income adults. Moreover, another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Medicaid expansion was associated with increased cancer screening rates and early-stage cancer diagnoses. These findings suggest that Medicaid expansion plays a crucial role in improving healthcare outcomes for low-income individuals.
Another component of the ACA that is expected to have a positive effect on healthcare outcomes is the implementation of accountable care organizations (ACOs). ACOs are groups of healthcare providers, including hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, that work together to provide coordinated care to patients. Under the ACA, Medicare has established several ACO programs to encourage healthcare organizations to adopt a more coordinated and patient-centered approach to care delivery.
ACOs have been shown to improve healthcare outcomes and decrease costs. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluated the impact of ACOs on healthcare quality and costs and found that ACOs were associated with significant improvements in quality measures, including better control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels among patients with diabetes, better adherence to preventive care guidelines, and reduced readmission rates for heart failure patients. Moreover, the study found that ACOs were able to achieve modest cost savings, primarily through reduced hospital admissions and emergency room visits. These findings suggest that ACOs can contribute to improved healthcare outcomes and decreased costs by promoting coordination and integration of care.
Furthermore, the ACA includes provisions aimed at transforming healthcare delivery through the adoption of health information technology (HIT). The use of electronic health records (EHRs) has been widely promoted under the ACA to improve efficiency, coordination, and continuity of care. By digitizing patient medical records, healthcare providers can access and exchange patient information more easily, leading to better-informed clinical decision-making.
Studies have shown that the use of HIT, particularly EHRs, can improve healthcare outcomes and decrease costs. A systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that the use of HIT, such as computerized physician order entry systems and clinical decision support systems, was associated with improvements in medication safety, adherence to evidence-based guidelines, and clinical decision-making. Additionally, a study published in Health Affairs found that hospitals using EHRs demonstrated higher quality of care compared to hospitals using paper records. These findings suggest that the adoption of HIT can contribute to the improvement of healthcare outcomes and the reduction of healthcare costs.
In conclusion, the ACA introduced several components aimed at improving healthcare outcomes and decreasing costs. The expansion of Medicaid has increased access to care for low-income individuals, leading to improved healthcare outcomes. The implementation of ACOs has promoted coordination and integration of care, resulting in better healthcare outcomes and cost savings. The adoption of HIT, particularly EHRs, has facilitated the exchange of patient information and improved clinical decision-making. These components of the ACA have the potential to make significant strides in improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs in the United States.