Reference no: EM132416270 , Length: word count:250
Discussion - Healthcare Innovation and Outside Factors
In your post, consider the impact of one of the following topics and how it influences safety and quality:
- The Affordable Care Act
- Pay for performance/value-based reimbursement
- Meaningful use
- Core measures
- Joint Commission accreditation
- CMS reimbursement requirements
Select one of the topics listed above and indicate how that factor influences safety and quality in the healthcare industry.
In responses to your peers, share if you believe their arguments are sound. Use the literature and your learnings from previous modules to support your observation.
Refer to the Discussion Rubric for directions on completing these discussions.
On March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Barrack Obama in hopes of changing healthcare for the better. Whether you agree or disagree this program, this act will continue to have reaching impacts for the American people when it comes to their selection of healthcare insurance selections. The Affordable Care Act aimed to achieve several goals:
- "Improve the quality of healthcare and patient safety
- Make coverage more secure for those who have insurance, and extend affordable coverage to anyone that is uninsured
- Ensure access to quality, culturally competent care for all American demographics
- Reduce the growth of healthcare costs while promoting high-value, effective care
- Emphasize primary and preventive care associated with community prevention services
- Promote the adoption and usefulness of health information technology"(Honigman, 2017).
Often referred to as ObamaCare, has been a very dominating issue within headlines especially when it comes to the health insurance market. Due to this, it has left a widespread of confusion amongst the insured and uninsured. But not to freight the Affordable Care Act was implemented to ensure more good than anything. "Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals covered by their parents insurance will be covered until the age of 26. This extended coverage is helping countless high school and college graduates continue their coverage under their parent's plan until they buy their own healthcare plan or find a full-time job that pays for their healthcare coverage" (Honigman, 2017). This helpful to young adults ensuring that they have time and resources to a healthy lifestyle and financial security before becoming fully independent.
More benefits for women. "Luckily, no American can be turned down based on a pre-existing condition under the Affordable Care Act, but nevertheless, this is a great accomplishment in healthcare for women's continued health"(Honigman,2017). Women have a wider range of options now especially when it comes to choosing healthcare. The American people are now given four tiers of healthcare coverage (Platinum 90%, Gold 80% Silver 70% , and Bronze 60%) with a range access to guaranteed health benefits and services. Most importantly the Affordable Care Act holds insurance companies accountable. "This legislation aims to make insurance companies more accountable across all of their service offerings, ensuring there is more focus on providing reliable and helpful services to patients and less emphasis based on their profits" (Honigman, 2017). And last but not least aid to the elderly. "The healthcare options for senior citizens are also heavily impacted by the Affordable Care Act as well, for starters your existing Medicare coverage is protected. Under this new legislation, your existing benefits enjoyed from Medicare won't be reduced or taken away" (Honigam, 2017).
The Affordable Care Act has aimed to achieve its goals and in my eyes has done a phenomenal job with trying to deliver quality to the American people.
Reference: Honigman, B. (2017, November 18). 6 Ways the Affordable Care Act Impacts Americans. November 22, 2018.