25 Feb Analyze the effect the PPACA currently has on access and delivery of healthcare and the anticipated effects it will have on healthcare delivery in the future

Order Instructions

Write a 2000 word paper evaluating the PPACA. Detail its timeline from inception to implementation. Analyze the effect the PPACA currently has on access and delivery of healthcare and the anticipated effects it will have on healthcare delivery in the future. What opportunities has the PPACA created for nursing? Describe your state’s position on Medicaid expansion. How has this helped/hurt health care in your state?

SAMPLE ANSWER

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The timeline of the PPACA from inception to implementation is as follows:

March 23, 2010: The PPACA is signed into law.

June 17, 2010: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) release regulations on the creation of accountable care organizations (ACOs) to encourage health care providers to coordinate and improve care.

September 23, 2010: Several provisions of the law take effect, including the requirement that health insurance plans cover preventive services without charging co-payments or deductibles.

November 15, 2010: The HealthCare.gov website is launched to help consumers find health insurance plans.

January 1, 2011: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is established to test and implement innovative payment and service delivery models.

October 1, 2013: The health insurance marketplaces, also known as exchanges, open for enrollment.

January 1, 2014: Major provisions of the law take effect, including the individual mandate requiring most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty and the requirement that health insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions.

July 1, 2014: The Medicare Shared Savings Program begins its first performance year to encourage ACOs to improve care coordination and quality.

January 1, 2015: The employer mandate requiring certain employers to provide health insurance to their employees takes effect.

The PPACA has had a significant impact on access and delivery of healthcare in the United States. The law has helped millions of previously uninsured Americans obtain health insurance coverage through the health insurance marketplaces and expanded Medicaid eligibility. However, the law has also faced criticism for increasing health insurance premiums and for the individual mandate, which was repealed in 2017.

In the future, the PPACA is anticipated to continue to shape healthcare delivery in the United States. The law has created opportunities for providers to participate in new payment and service delivery models, such as ACOs and the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which encourage coordination and quality improvement. The law has also emphasized the importance of preventive care and the use of health information technology to improve care coordination.

The PPACA has created several opportunities for nursing. The law includes provisions to increase the number of primary care providers, including nurse practitioners, and to support nursing education and training. Additionally, the law includes provisions to promote care coordination and to improve the quality of care, which can be facilitated by nursing professionals.

In terms of Medicaid expansion, each state has the option to expand Medicaid eligibility to individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. As of 2023, 39 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid eligibility. The impact of Medicaid expansion on healthcare in each state can vary, but studies have shown that expansion is associated with increased access to care and improved health outcomes.