Nursing: Healthcare Reform

Changes in the healthcare system cause political and regulatory implications since the policies devised by the government to have to be followed by the healthcare professionals creating a direct impact on the quality of care and patient outcomes. For defining and measuring value in healthcare, system-wide improvements are to be made by the political policy changing so that all stakeholders could capitalize on the betterment opportunities. This paper discusses the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the changes introduced by it, and reviewing how American Nurses Association (ANA) is currently involved in the healthcare reform.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted on 23 March 2010, with its first part being implemented. Additional amendments were made on 30 March 2010 to make it fairer and easier to understand for the public for having health insurance coverage more affordable. The rights and protections were discerned so that the common public could unequivocally comprehend cost-sharing and premium tax credit. It further covers people with low incomes so that inexpensive options could be granted for a maximum number of citizens for the improvement of health in the entire country.

The changes and development of ACA are explained below:

After the first part was launched on 23 March 2010, a grandfather clause had to stay the same for the person who had taken insurance till that date. After this date, individuals who bought the plans had to buy new coverage insurances to meet the new Affordable Care Act standards. According to these principles,

A reimbursement plan was initiated as temporary reinsurance for covering the costs of retirees health insurance. On 1 July 2010, those who were not qualified for the plan initially were also included in the plan later. A government website was launched to help the people gain information and search for suitable plans.

Moreover, the insured people were not allowed to get insurance plans for their children till 2010. In the year 2011, the patient was provided to have his choice of doctor. The coverage from ACA limited the lifetime coverage. In light of this, annual limits and maximum payouts were constrained. Claims for fraud and misrepresentation by the customer were to be checked under ACA regulations. In the year 2014, the monthly insurance plans were defined by the income people earned. The poverty levels and socio-economic status were considered for offering the best acceptable prices of the plans. Adults aging from 19 to 64 years were eligible for getting the insurance. ACA required people to buy insurance beforehand rather than waiting to get sick and then buying the plan. From the year 2011 till 2014, the events that took place after the changes include a contraceptive mandate for women, uphold of major provisions of the Act by the US Supreme court, capping on annual spending after the re-election of President Obama, the ongoing technical difficulties and going offline after re-opening was done on 2 December 2013, an extension of the…