CRITICISM ON THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Recent media coverage places emphasis on several public and health policy issues. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act get attention from diverse groups. The Act aims at ensuring all Americans receive affordable and quality healthcare (Hartocollis, 2013).
President Obama’s government views it as a means of improving health while regulating the cost of medical care in USA. Through the Congressional Budget Office’ planning, the cost of providing care for over 94% of the nation’s population is possible. The Act’s provisions make it popular; for instance it strengthens and reauthorizes nursing programs under the funding of Health resources and Services Administration.
The Act received various responses; supporters of the policy view it as a way of improving the quality of health for all Americans, even those who cannot afford it. Many vulnerable and marginalized people get a chance to receive medical insurance and quality services. Apart from affordable healthcare, recent reports from the congressional Budget office also elicit major support. The report on healthcare reform revealed that the cost of meeting the Act’s provisions will cost $9 billion less than the previous estimate. The provision will also protect healthcare insurance companies from risk; this, in turn, raises revenue for the nation.
Despite the perceived benefits, the act results in the cancellation of other health insurance plans, this occurs to provide comparable coverage for all Americans (Hartocollis, 2013). It reduces access to a wide range of doctors and plans. They face high deductions to co-pay coverage for those who cannot afford insurance. On introduction, many assumed this Act would solely have a positive impact through improvement of quality and affordability of medical care. Some of its negative effects, particularly on the elite, was not considered until later.
Vulnerable citizens benefiting from the Act include those with low earnings, terminal ailments and critical medical conditions. The Act saves them from the high expenses they would have incurred on medical services. Members of the professional and cultural elite, however, do not wholly welcome the change. It cancels their premiums and forces them to aid in providing coverage for citizens who cannot afford medical care.
In my opinion, the Act is a milestone; a significant step in the improvement of America’s healthcare system. Through its implementation, the government considers and provides for the poor’s healthcare needs. It also provides the opportunity for other Americans to help those who cannot afford health insurance plans.
Nurses have a significant role in ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services. Nurses assess patients’ self-care ability, provide treatments, rehabilitation and medication. Nurses help in meeting the Act’s provisions through involvement in; public health programs, transparency and integrity, chronic disease prevention, provision of community living assistance services, and innovative medical therapies. The creation of skilled and highly qualified nurses depends on the quality of nursing education. The Act exhibits support for nursing education through support of good graduate and baccalaureate programs. Its reforms increase opportunities for nurses to ensure the provision of high quality medical services. The Act’s provisions have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the public. It reduces the cost of healthcare services by making insurance affordable for Americans. Support of nursing education also ensures, the production of skilled professionals who carry out duties with high expertise.
Reference
Hartocollis, A. (2013). With Affordable Care Act, Cancelled Policies for New York Professionals. The New York Times, Retrieved February 20, 2014 from http://www.economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/tax-subsidies-and-the-incentive-to-work/
