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Effects on Current Position Beginning in 2014, significant insurance reforms will be implemented (New York Times, 2011). New rules will end medical underwriting and pre-existing condition exclusions. Insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage or setting rates based on health status, medical condition, claims experience, genetic information, and other health-related factors (Democratic Policy Committee, n.d.). Although providing affordable access to quality healthcare for the insured is an opportunity, allowing states to have such discretion will create inconsistencies in providing healthcare, thus presenting challenges.
With "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," many healthcare professionals are affected (Democratic Policy Committee, n.d.). Nationwide, hospitals are scrambling to buy hospitals in an effort to control costs. Doctors are leaving small private practices. Large insurance companies are becoming more dominant as smaller ones disappear because they cannot stay competitive (New York Times, 2011). Furthermore, Republicans denounced the law as an intrusion by the government that would prompt employers to eliminate jobs, create an unsustainable entitlement program, saddle states and the federal government with unmanageable costs, and interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. As a result, the law would exacerbate the steep rise in the cost of medical services, thus affecting the elimination of many healthcare positions. Ironically, less healthcare professionals will ensue, but an increase in patient care will be needed, as a result in more people becoming insured.
Challenges & Opportunities
Moreover, many are concerned with the quality of care if a universal healthcare program was imposed on the states. To eliminate this powerful argument, the government would allow states to determine specific healthcare provisions. Such a move would allow significant variations in benefits from state to state, much like the current differences in state Medicaid programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program. By giving states the discretion to specify essential benefits, the
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Conclusion
Bridging the insurance gap has been addressed by several presidential administrations; however, much momentum was not gained until the Obama administration. Although a great deal of efforts have been expended, more efforts will prove essential as the Democrats continue to ward of the darts of the Republicans and state opponents. As with any societal change, it will be met with resistance. In time, the resistance will evolve into acceptance of the greater good.
References
Democratic Policy Committee. (n.d.). The patient protection and affordable care act. Retrieved from http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill04.pdf
The New York Times. (21 Dec 2011). Healthcare reform. Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/health_insurance_and_managed_care/health_care_reform/index.html
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