How "deep" do we need to get on the PPACA? I have a very scant econ background and I've tried to get some of the major changes nailed down, but I cannot remember all the specifics or understand most of the policy stuff. ;___; (Total straight-science/bench research dweeb reporting in).
I like graphs, though. Graphs are cool. Kff.org did a very good job of making it a lot less scary and I read up a lot on my state's progress, but I don't feel like I sound very knowledgable when I talk about this stuff.
Awh, thanks! I hope things go well. No full rides at this school, but I'm hoping they have some cookies at the interview lunch muahaha...
For the ACA you should definitely understand the overall reasoning (what major healthcare issues is it aimed to improve) and some impacts on healthcare providers and on patients.
Anyone who has corrections / something to add feel free to chime in!
The main problems it is targeting:
-health insurance unaffordability, which led to a high uninsured rate
-insurance companies could withdraw coverage or charge exorbitant fees for pre-existing conditions (so that those who really super needed health insurance were oftentimes left without it)
-medicare using up too much monies
Some policies:
-insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge super high rates for pts with pre-existing conditions; they also cannot withdraw coverage if a new condition develops
-medicaid expansion (opt-in by state) which subsidizes insurance for...I forget but something like families earning 133% to 400% of the federal poverty line; ie. states that opt in (the state pays for the expansion) supports lower-middle class families for their insurance; medicaid pays in full (federal pays) for pts earning 133% or less of federal poverty line
-establish "marketplace" for insurance (ideally run by states; otherwise run by federal gov't) where pts can shop around and sign up once a year
-federal penalty tax (as proportion of income, I believe) for individuals who choose NOT to register for health insurance
-employers over a certain size (30 full-time employers or something) have to offer company health insurance to employees
Problem it acknowledges but really hasn't combated:
-pay-for-service compensation encourages quantity of care over quality of care
-how much medicare costs the government
Impact on healthcare providers:
...dunno. Changes in compensation for sure; medicaid is notorious for under-compensation of healthcare providers and medicaid expansion = more procedures being "paid" for via medicaid.
Also more patients should be insured -- better to get medicaid compensation than no compensation at all!
Impact on patients:
Super confusing "marketplace" to purchase insurance. Some people (lower than 400% of poverty line) will suddenly have awesome subsidies to their health insurance, whereas some (over 400% poverty line but right around there) will suddenly see increases in their health insurance costs.
More people should be insured, and insurance policies that are okay-ed by the ACA (to avoid the penalty tax for not enrolling) have to contain certain things, such as prenatal/obstetric care for all women of childbearing age.
That's mostly what I remember...we covered this as a part of a public health class but I'm sure there are other aspects I've forgotten.
The whole anonymity thing has me confused :/
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