Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

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Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

   INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONSE TO WEEK 9 DISCUSSION

MY POST

THE ROLE OF THE RN/APRN IN POLICY EVALUATION

Evaluation Topic: Evaluation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Since its adoption in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has sparked heated discussion. The primary goal of the ACA is to enhance access to affordable healthcare for Americans while also lowering healthcare expenditures. The Affordable Care Act accomplished this by expanding Medicaid coverage to more low-income people, establishing state-based health insurance exchanges, and instituting consumer safeguards for insurance customers (Lines et al.,2021). The individual mandate, which compelled all Americans to obtain health insurance, was also implemented to encourage healthy people to join the insurance market, decreasing total healthcare costs. Evaluating the ACA’s efficacy is critical for determining whether it has met its objectives, particularly in improving healthcare outcomes and access for Americans. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

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Criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the ACA

Access to healthcare: This criterion counts the number of Americans who obtained healthcare coverage due to ACA features such as Medicaid expansion and the health insurance marketplace.

Healthcare prices: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to cut healthcare costs for Americans, and this criterion assesses the policy’s impact on lowering healthcare costs for individuals and families.

Health outcomes: The impact of the ACA on health outcomes such as preventative care, chronic illness management, and health inequities is measured by this criterion.

The long-term sustainability of the ACA is critical in determining the policy’s efficacy (Sun et al.,2020). This criterion considers the policy’s overall influence on the healthcare system and its long-term viability.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to improve health outcomes for all Americans by expanding healthcare access. On the other hand, income, education, and race/ethnicity can substantially influence healthcare access and results (Kino et al.,2018). For example, individuals with lower incomes or education levels may suffer financial and transportation hurdles to obtaining healthcare services, notwithstanding ACA measures like subsidies and Medicaid expansion. Similarly, racial and ethnic minorities may face structural hurdles and discrimination, limiting their access to excellent healthcare and contributing to inequalities in health outcomes. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

To solve these concerns, policymakers and healthcare providers must consider social factors while implementing and evaluating the ACA’s efficacy. They should implement policies and initiatives to address the underlying causes of healthcare inequalities, such as poverty, prejudice, and a lack of knowledge. Extending Medicaid eligibility and giving transportation assistance, for example, can assist those with low incomes in accessing healthcare services. Furthermore, healthcare personnel should promote cultural competency and diversity training to eliminate gaps in healthcare and provide fair access and results for all Americans.

To summarize, the ACA represents a significant step toward universal healthcare access and improved health outcomes in the United States. However, recognizing and addressing socioeconomic determinants of healthcare access and outcomes is critical to ensuring that the ACA accomplishes its goals of enhancing health equality and eliminating healthcare inequalities for all Americans. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

References

Kino, S., Sato, K., & Kawachi, I. (2018). Spillover benefits of improved access to healthcare on reducing worry about housing and meal affordability. International journal for equity in health, 17, 1-9.

Lines, G., Mengistu, K., LaPorte, M. R. C., Lee, D., Anderson, L., Novinson, D., … & McCormick, D. (2021). States’ performance in reducing uninsurance among Black, Hispanic, and low-income Americans following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Health Equity, 5(1), 493-502.

Sun, J., Liu, M., Fu, B., Kemp, D., Zhao, W., Liu, G., … & Liu, S. (2020). Reconsidering the efficiency of grazing exclusion using fences on the Tibetan Plateau. Science Bulletin, 65(16), 1405-1414.

USE MY POST ABOVE AS A GUIDE TO RESPOND TO POST 1 AND POST 2 DISCUSSIONS SEPARATELY

–Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

POST 1

Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation- Affordable Care Act

For the module 5 discussion, the program/policy I have selected for policy evaluation is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Effective program evaluation is a systematic way to improve and account for public health actions by involving procedures that are useful, feasible, ethical, and accurate (CDC, 2017). Therefore, for this discussion, I will partly utilize the framework for the program evaluation approach.

The ACA of 2010, or Obamacare, was the most monumental change in US healthcare policy since the passage of Medicaid and Medicare in 1965…The ACA had 3 primary goals: increasing the number of insured, improving the quality of care, and reducing the cost of healthcare (Manchikanti et al., 2017).

Criteria Used To Measure the Effectiveness of ACA

The success of the Affordable Care Act will ultimately be measured by how much it reduces the number of uninsured whether it improves the quality of care and lowers costs and by its effects on employment and federal and state budgets (The Editorial Board, 2014). This comparison will play an important role in determining the effectiveness of ACA by providing quantitative data to be analyzed with final outcomes. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

How Social Determinants Impact ACA

According to Campbell & Shore-Sheppard (2020):

The extensiveness of the ACA and the importance of health insurance to individual and family well-being suggests that in addition to the direct impacts on coverage, health, and the labor market discussed earlier, its passage may have affected more indirect social outcomes, including marital and fertility decisions.
Because rates of uninsurance were higher in vulnerable populations before the ACA, many but not all such populations were intended to be helped by the policy. Evidence from Medicaid expansions in particular but also the ACA overall indicates that when subpopulations of low-income, low-education, or racial or ethnic minorities are studied, coverage gains are substantial.
Similarly, the ACA and particularly the Medicaid expansion represents a potentially important new source of healthcare funding for a group that has historically had low rates of insurance- the criminal justice-involved population. This population faces health challenges including rates of infectious diseases, chronic illness, and trauma that are higher than in the general population. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

References:

Campbell, A.L., & Shore-Sheppard, L. (2020). The Social, Political, and Economical Effects of the Affordable Care Act: Introduction to the Issue. The Russell Sage Foundation Journal, 6 (2) 1-40. https:doi.org/10.7758/RSF2020.6.2.01.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, May 15). A Framework for Program Evaluation. https://www.cdc.gov/evaluation/framework/index.htmLinks to an external site..

Editorial Board (2014, April 2). Measuring the Success of Health Reform. The New York Times. https:www.nytimes.com/2014/04/03/opinion/measuring-the-success-of-health-reform.html#:text=The%20success%20of%20the%20Affordable%20Care%.

Manchikanti, L., Helm Li, S., Benjamin, R.M., & Hirsch, J.A. (2017). A Critical Analysis of Obamacare: Affordable Care or Insurance for Many and Coverage for Few? Pain Physician, 20 (3), 111-138. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

POST 2

Evaluation Topic: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on healthcare access and equity.

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 with the intention of improving access to healthcare, lowering healthcare costs, and protecting consumers from unfair insurance practices (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2021). The ACA’s key provisions include Medicaid expansion, the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, and the provision of subsidies for individuals and families to purchase health insurance. This evaluation examines the ACA’s effectiveness in meeting its objectives and assesses its impact on various social determinants.

Criteria Used for Evaluation:

Insurance Coverage: The evaluation assesses how successful the ACA has been in expanding health insurance coverage to previously uninsured people and lowering the overall uninsured rate (Sommers, Gunja, Finegold, & Musco, 2015).

Affordability: The evaluation assesses individuals’ and families’ ability to afford ACA-mandated health insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs (HHS, 2021). Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

Social Determinants Impact:

By expanding access to healthcare and providing financial assistance to vulnerable populations, the ACA has made significant strides in addressing social determinants of health. According to research, states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA saw significant reductions in uninsured people and improvements in healthcare access for low-income people (Sommers et al., 2015). Furthermore, the ACA has aided in the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare coverage (Artiga, Orgera, & Damico, 2019).

However, many people continue to struggle with affordability, particularly those in states that did not expand Medicaid and those with high out-of-pocket costs (HHS, 2021). Social determinants such as income, race, and geographic location continue to have an impact on people’s ability to access affordable, high-quality healthcare, and these factors should be considered in future evaluations and policy changes.

The role of professional nurses in this policy evaluation.

Professional nurses are critical in assessing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) policy, ensuring that it meets the needs of patients and contributes to improved healthcare access, affordability, and quality (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2021). Their unique perspective and understanding of patient needs, health disparities, and healthcare systems can significantly inform the ACA’s effectiveness evaluation. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

Assess the ACA’s impact on patient care: Nurses can monitor and evaluate how the ACA affects patient care, such as access to healthcare services, preventive care, and chronic condition management (Coffman, 2021).

Examine how the ACA has influenced nursing practice, such as changes in nurse-to-patient ratios, scope of practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration (Mason, Gardner, Outlaw, & O’Grady, 2016).

Conduct ACA outcomes research: Nurses can participate in research to assess the ACA’s effectiveness in improving healthcare coverage, reducing disparities, and promoting health equity (Artiga, Orgera, & Damico, 2019).

Advocate for ACA policy changes: Based on their experiences and evaluation findings, professional nurses can advocate for ACA policy changes to address gaps in coverage, affordability, and quality of care (ANA, 2021).

Professional nurses can help ensure that the ACA policy meets its objectives, addresses health disparities, and supports the provision of quality care to all individuals by actively participating in policy evaluation.

References:

American Nurses Association. (2021). Policy & Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/Links to an external site.

Artiga, S., Orgera, K., & Damico, A. (2019). Changes in Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity since the ACA, 2010-2018. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/changes-in-health-coverage-by-race-and-ethnicity-since-the-aca-2010-2018/Links to an external site.

Coffman, S. (2021). The Role of Nurses in Health Policy and Advocacy. NurseJournal.org. https://nursejournal.org/community/the-role-of-nurses-in-health-policy-and-advocacy/Links to an external site.

Mason, D. J., Gardner, D. B., Outlaw, F. H., & O’Grady, E. T. (2016). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care (7th ed.). Elsevier.

The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation PO

Response to post 1

As said in Post 1, it is critical to acknowledge the obstacles and possibilities for measuring the efficacy of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In addition to the previously specified criteria, the impact of the ACA on the healthcare workforce and access to care in rural and underserved regions should be considered. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) attempted to expand the number of insured people and enhance healthcare access and quality. Still, it failed to address the scarcity of healthcare professionals in rural and underserved regions. The contribution of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in policy review can be critical in identifying and addressing these issues since they have a unique perspective on how policies affect patient care. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has substantially influenced the healthcare system in the United States, and registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may play an essential role in evaluating its efficacy and lobbying for policies that address gaps in the healthcare system. Data-driven techniques, such as examining the number of insured patients, access to preventative care services, and health inequalities, can aid in assessing the ACA’s influence on patient outcomes (Mahmoudi & Xiong, 2022). Furthermore, RNs and APRNs can work with politicians and other healthcare professionals to identify weaknesses in the healthcare system and design solutions. Advocating for policies that expand the number of healthcare providers in rural and underserved regions, such as debt payback schemes or telemedicine services,

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Can Assist in Assuring Access to Treatment.

By adopting data-driven techniques, partnering with policymakers and other healthcare professionals to solve gaps in the healthcare system, and educating patients on the advantages of the ACA, RNs, and APRNs may play an essential role in the policy review of the ACA. Furthermore, RNs and APRNs may educate patients about the ACA and its advantages, which is especially important for individuals who may experience barriers to healthcare access (Bachynsky, 2020). This might include giving information on Medicaid expansion, the health insurance marketplace, and ACA-covered preventative care programs. Recognizing the influence of socioeconomic determinants on healthcare access and outcomes is critical, as is working on designing policies and programs that address the underlying causes of healthcare inequality. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper

Response to Post 2

The factors you have given, such as insurance coverage and cost, are critical for determining the ACA’s efficacy. Improving outreach and education efforts to marginalized populations is critical to ensuring everyone can access the ACA’s benefits (Robertson-Preidler et al., 2020). This might entail collaborating with community-based groups, clinics, and local health departments to raise knowledge and comprehension of the ACA and its advantages. Furthermore, offering information in several languages and employing culturally appropriate communication tactics might assist in reaching out to diverse populations. Underserved communities can make educated healthcare decisions and exploit the ACA’s possibilities.

Telehealth allows for remote consultations, diagnosis, and treatments, making healthcare more accessible and affordable. Investing in telehealth technology may considerably help those living in rural or distant places, where access to healthcare services might be difficult owing to geographic limitations. Individuals with chronic diseases can also benefit from this technology since it allows for frequent monitoring and remote management of their health (Haleem et al., 2021). We can ensure that everyone, regardless of geography, access quality healthcare by extending telehealth services, resulting in better health outcomes and lower healthcare expenditures.

The ACA must be continuously evaluated and improved to ensure all Americans access affordable, high-quality healthcare. We may strive toward a more equal and accessible healthcare system by tackling the socioeconomic determinants of health and harnessing emerging technology. Evaluation of The Affordable Care Act Assignment Paper