Identify three components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that went into effect in 2014 and discuss their impact or potential impact on the practice of nursing and medicine. Be specific as to what the provision states, who it affects, and the impact that it may have.
Solution
Three Components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implemented in 2014 and Their Impact
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced several key provisions in 2014 aimed at improving healthcare coverage, enhancing care quality, and reducing costs. Three components with a significant impact on nursing and medical practice include:
1. Medicaid Expansion
The ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility to individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS], 2022).
Who It Affects: Low-income individuals, healthcare providers, and hospitals.
Impact:
Increased patient volume, especially in underserved areas.
Greater demand for nurse practitioners and primary care providers.
Reduced uncompensated care costs (Paradise et al., 2015).
2. Preventive Care Coverage with No Cost-Sharing
Insurers were required to cover preventive services (e.g., vaccinations, cancer screenings) without patient cost-sharing (HealthCare.gov, 2023).
Who It Affects: Patients, providers, and insurers.
Impact:
Improved early detection and management of chronic diseases.
Expanded nursing role in providing preventive care.
Lower long-term healthcare costs.
3. Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP)
The HRRP penalized hospitals with high readmission rates for conditions like heart failure and pneumonia (CMS, 2022).
Who It Affects: Hospitals, patients, and healthcare professionals.
Impact:
Increased focus on discharge planning and patient education.
Expanded nursing role in care coordination and follow-up.
Encouraged evidence-based practices to prevent readmissions.
Implications for Practice
These ACA provisions have improved access to care, increased the use of preventive services, and enhanced care quality. Nurses have played a key role in coordinating care and providing education, reinforcing their evolving role in a changing healthcare environment.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act.https://www.cms.govLinks to an external site.
HealthCare.gov. (2023). Preventive care benefits. https://www.healthcare.govLinks to an external site.
Paradise, J., Rosenbaum, S., Markus, A., & Burke, S. (2015). Medicaid at 50: Major milestones and challenges. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.orgLinks to an external site.