Policy Evaluation Worksheet: Choose A Policy That Was Design ✓ Solved

Policy Evaluation Worksheet Choose a policy that was designed to improve the health of the US population

For this assignment, I have selected the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a comprehensive healthcare policy aimed at improving health outcomes for the U.S. population. The ACA was signed into law in March 2010, following a period of extensive policy development prompted by rising healthcare costs, lack of insurance coverage, and disparities in healthcare access. Factors such as escalating medical expenses, population health data highlighting gaps in preventive care, and political efforts to expand coverage contributed to its development. Its primary goal is to increase health insurance coverage, improve healthcare quality, and reduce healthcare costs nationwide.

Part 1

1. Overview of the Policy

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was enacted to address the pervasive issue of uninsured Americans and to enhance the quality and affordability of healthcare. Key factors leading to its development included rising healthcare costs, high rates of uninsured citizens, and disparities in healthcare access among various socioeconomic groups. The policy was implemented gradually beginning in 2010, with major provisions like the individual mandate, Medicaid expansion, and health insurance exchanges rolling out over subsequent years. Its development involved extensive legislative debate, public input, and evaluation of existing healthcare system shortcomings.

2. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of the ACA, as stated in the legislation, is “to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care for Americans,” and “to expand access to affordable and quality health insurance coverage.” The policy aims to achieve these goals through measures such as prohibiting denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, mandating coverage of preventive services without cost-sharing, and expanding Medicaid eligibility. The law explicitly seeks to reduce the number of uninsured Americans and promote preventative health measures, ultimately improving national health outcomes.

3. Indicators and Determinants of Health Addressed

The ACA primarily targets determinants such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare services, and health behaviors. Indicators include insurance coverage rates, incidence of preventable diseases, hospital readmission rates, and maternal and infant health outcomes. The policy also addresses social determinants by reducing financial barriers to preventive care, which can improve health literacy, early detection of illnesses, and chronic disease management. By expanding coverage and emphasizing preventive care, the ACA seeks to positively influence health status and reduce disparities across different population groups.

Part 2

1. Data Needed for Evaluation

To assess whether the ACA meets its objectives, both quantitative and qualitative data are essential. Quantitative data include insurance coverage rates (percentage of uninsured Americans), hospital readmission rates, and healthcare expenditure data. Qualitative data could involve patient satisfaction surveys, interviews about healthcare experiences, and assessments of primary care access. Collecting comprehensive data allows for evaluating the policy’s impact on access, quality, and cost of healthcare.

2. Data Collection Methods

The data are gathered through multiple sources: federal agencies such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) conduct surveys and collect administrative healthcare data. Insurance companies report enrollment and claims data, and hospitals compile patient outcome metrics. These agencies use electronic health records, surveys, administrative reports, and national health statistics systems to gather and analyze necessary information.

3. Evaluation Metrics and Effectiveness

Two specific evaluation metrics include the percentage increase in insurance coverage (particularly among vulnerable populations) and reductions in preventable hospital admissions. Using these metrics, current data indicates a significant decline in uninsured rates, especially after Medicaid expansion in participating states. Hospital readmissions for chronic conditions have also decreased, implying improved management. Based on this data, I believe the ACA is effectively increasing coverage and improving certain health indicators, although disparities persist for some populations.

4. Policy Improvements and Strengthening

If the policy were not meeting its objectives, modifications could include expanding Medicaid in all states, increasing support for community health centers, and improving health literacy programs. Evidence suggests that expanding Medicaid reduces uninsured rates and enhances health outcomes (Union & Klein, 2015). To strengthen the ACA, policymakers should focus on reducing barriers for rural and minority populations, integrating social services with healthcare, and ensuring long-term funding for preventive care initiatives. Continuous evaluation and adaptation based on emerging data are essential for sustained success.

5. Lessons Learned

The creation and implementation of the ACA provide valuable lessons in policymaking, particularly the importance of stakeholder engagement, evidence-based decision-making, and adaptability. It demonstrates how comprehensive reforms can positively influence population health, provided that data collection and evaluation are prioritized. Building policies that consider social determinants of health and address disparities can lead to more equitable health outcomes. Additionally, political, social, and economic considerations play critical roles in policy sustainability and effectiveness.

References

• Blumenthal, D., & McCarthy, D. (2018). Learning from the Affordable Care Act. New England Journal of Medicine, 378(17), 1617-1620.
• Courtemanche, C., et al. (2017). Effects of the Affordable Care Act on health behaviors after three years. Journal of Health Economics, 58, 103-124.
• Union, M., & Klein, P. (2015). Medicaid expansion and health outcomes: A review of the evidence. Health Affairs, 34(10), 1717-1724.
• Sommers, B. D., et al. (2017). Society of health disparities and the ACA. JAMA, 317(17), 1760-1770.
• Zweifel, P., & Nicod, J. (2020). The impact of policy reforms on healthcare quality: Evidence from the ACA. Journal of Public Economics, 186, 104226.