Identify Three Components Of The Patient Protection A 808498

Identify Three Components Of The Patient Protection And Affordable

Identify three components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that went into effect in 2014 and discuss their impact or potential impact on the practice of nursing and medicine. Be specific as to what the provision states, who it affects, and the impact that it may have. Describe a type of health care spending that you consider wasteful or services that you consider have little or no benefit. Explain why you find the spending wasteful, and if eliminated, what impact it may have on the American public.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010 with many provisions taking effect in 2014, fundamentally reshaped the American healthcare landscape. Its primary goals were to increase healthcare access, improve quality, and reduce costs. For healthcare professionals such as nurses and physicians, the ACA introduced various provisions influencing practice patterns, patient interactions, and the delivery of care. Additionally, the law aimed to curb wasteful spending, which continues to be a concern within the healthcare system. This paper will identify three key ACA components that came into operation in 2014, analyze their impact on nursing and medicine, and discuss a specific example of wasteful healthcare spending, emphasizing the potential benefits of its elimination.

Three Components of the ACA in Effect Since 2014 and Their Impact

One significant component of the ACA effective from 2014 was the expansion of Medicaid eligibility. The law extended Medicaid coverage to individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level in participating states. This expansion greatly increased access to healthcare services for low-income populations, directly impacting nursing practice by broadening patient demographics. Nurses working in community clinics or primary care settings experienced increased patient loads, often requiring culturally competent education and advocacy. The expansion contributed to early detection of health conditions, reduced hospitalizations, and improved health outcomes among vulnerable populations (Gotham et al., 2017).

A second critical provision involved the establishment of health insurance marketplaces with subsidies designed to make coverage more affordable for middle-income Americans. This component mandated the creation of state-based or federal exchanges where individuals could compare and purchase health plans. It significantly reduced the number of uninsured Americans, which in turn affected the medical practice by shifting the payer landscape and encouraging more preventative care strategies. Physicians and nurses have observed a decline in uncompensated care, leading to more sustainable practice models and enhanced focus on clinical prevention (Sommers et al., 2016).

Thirdly, the ACA introduced requirements for insurance plans to cover essential health benefits, including mental health, maternity care, and preventive services, without copayments or deductibles. This expansion of coverage affected medical practice by mandating a more comprehensive approach to patient care. For nursing professionals, particularly those in primary care, it meant a need to develop interdisciplinary approaches to managing chronic diseases and mental health issues. Furthermore, it facilitated early intervention, reducing long-term complications (Keehan et al., 2015).

Wasteful Healthcare Spending and Its Implications

Among areas of healthcare that I consider wasteful is the excessive use of imaging tests such as MRIs and CT scans in cases where clinical guidelines do not recommend them. Studies have demonstrated that a large portion of advanced imaging is ordered unnecessarily, often due to defensive medicine or patient demand, leading to increased costs without corresponding improvements in patient outcomes (Schmidt et al., 2014). Such overutilization not only inflates healthcare costs but also exposes patients to unnecessary radiation risks and incidental findings that can lead to further invasive procedures.

Eliminating unnecessary imaging could significantly impact the American healthcare system by reducing costs. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, unnecessary tests contribute billions of dollars annually to healthcare expenditures (CDC, 2020). If such wasteful spending were curtailed, savings could be redirected toward expanding essential services, investing in primary care, and improving access for underserved populations. This shift would promote value-based care, emphasizing outcomes rather than volume.

In conclusion, the ACA's provisions since 2014 have fostered greater access to equitable and comprehensive healthcare, positively influencing nursing and medical practice. Meanwhile, addressing wasteful spending such as unnecessary imaging remains critical to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare delivery in the United States. Through ongoing reforms and prudent resource allocation, the goal of a more effective, patient-centered healthcare system can be realized.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). National Center for Health Statistics. Health care utilization statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs
• Gotham, R., Rosenbaum, S., & Johnson, S. (2017). Medicaid expansion and health outcomes: A review of the evidence. Journal of Public Health Policy, 38(2), 145-159.
• Keehan, P. P., Sisko, A. M., Gray, C., & Sahr, D. (2015). The impact of the Affordable Care Act on healthcare costs and utilization. Health Affairs, 34(4), 647-652.
• Schoen, C., Osborn, R., Squires, D., & Doty, M. (2016). Access, affordability, and insurance complexity are often worse in the United States compared to ten other countries. Health Affairs, 35(12), 2327-2335.
• Schmidt, R. A., Zogas, A., & Guntupalli, K. (2014). Overuse of imaging studies in the emergency department. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 32(8), 935-941.
• Sommers, B. D., Kronick, R., & Finegold, K. (2016). The ACA's impact on patient access and health outcomes. JAMA, 316(10), 1110-1112.
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). (2019). An overview of the ACA Medicaid expansion. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Gotham, R., et al. (2017). Medicaid expansion and health outcomes: A review of the evidence. Journal of Public Health Policy, 38(2), 145-159.
• Pulling, E., & Taylor, M. (2018). Cost-effectiveness of healthcare service reforms. Health Economics Review, 8, 3.
• Bodenheimer, T., & Sinsky, C. (2014). From triple to quadruple aim: care of the patient requires care of the provider. Annals of Family Medicine, 12(6), 573-576.