Review from podcast regarding Affordable Care Act

[Quita]

The Alliance for Health Reform and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation sponsored a briefing on August 2, 2010 that examined the major challenges facing states regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This briefing was presented via both video and podcast.

Currently the U.S. health care system is failing its citizens because many are uninsured and receive poor quality health care. Additionally, the current healthcare system is difficult to navigate. The current changes will present challenges regarding interpretation to the U.S. citizens if the implementation process is not carried out effectively and efficiently. Several speakers from various agencies with crucial roles in health policy implementation were featured in this podcast. Each speaker emphasized the importance of implementing this bill to reach a common goal—improved health of the U.S. citizens. Moreover, this podcast addressed the importance of implementation and interpretation of the new legislation at the state level and the collaboration efforts that are needed to ensure success of the proposed legislation. The speakers stressed the importance of collaboration from the federal government, state actuaries, and private citizens to deliver the system of reform. The implementation plan was formulated by the federal government; however, it is ultimately the states' responsibility to meet the minimum requirements of the model to implement the law correctly. To assure success of the legislation, the federal government has created many grants that are available by application to state to assist with the process of implementing this bill because much time and effort will be required to ensure that the transition is efficient.

One key idea that interested me in the podcast relative to health policy included the quality improvement feature to assure feasibility of the bill. The quality improvement process will assure that uniformity in information exists so that consumers can adequately compare companies. This process will also assist with rate reviews which will be a process that insurance companies will be required to go through before a rate goes into effect whenever a change in rates occur. This is to ascertain that insurance coverage is fair and void of unreasonable rates.

This podcast is relevant to the work I will do as a PhD leader in nursing involved in health policy because these changes will affect the population I provide care for and colleagues that I work among. I must be well informed on the processes of implementation to understand the complexities that U.S. citizens will soon face amid this transition. Additionally, I must be able to translate the information regarding reform to lay persons who may not comprehend the language of the bill.

The states may rely on interest groups and heath care professionals to present any issues that arise as a result of the implementation. This process will continuously feed into the loop of health policy formation as other programs such as Social Security and Medicare have and will require the expertise of government officials and people in positions that I will soon possess to assure that the health needs of this nation’s citizens are met. © Quitah Haille 

 

If you would like to view this podcast...please do so to learn about what is occuring with the nation and health care reform.(click on the link)
Reference
Rockefeller, J. (Speaker), Angoff, J. (Speaker), Nichols, L. (Speaker), Webb, B. (Speaker), Meinhold, L. (Speaker). (2010, August 2). 50 ways to implement health reform: State challenges and federal assistance [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://podcast.kff.org/podcast/2010/080210_alliance_implementation_...