The overall goal of the Session Long Project is to examine health care delivery in the United States. Read the article “Remaking the American health care system: A positive reflection on the Affordable Care Act with emphasis on mental health care.” by Ogundipe, Alam, Gazula, Olagbemiro, Osiezagha, Rahn, and Richie. After reading the article, please respond to the following questions.
- What is the intended purpose of the PPACA that was signed into law in 2010? Will it meet its intended purpose based on what you’ve read in this article and from your own research on the topic?
- What do the authors state are the issues with the quality of care being provided?
- Identify and discuss the four mechanisms that will be implemented by the PPACA.
Length: Submit a 3-page paper
REQUIRED READING
Ogundipe, B., Alam, F., Gazula, L., Olagbemiro, Y., Osiezagha, K., Bailey, R., & Richie, W., (2015). Remaking the American health care system: A positive reflection on the Affordable Care Act with emphasis on mental health care. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 26(1), 49-61.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, brought about significant changes within the healthcare system in the United States. The purpose of this Session Long Project is to critically evaluate the implementation of the PPACA and its impact on healthcare delivery in the country. In this paper, we will answer a set of questions related to an article titled, “Remaking the American health care system: A positive reflection on the Affordable Care Act with emphasis on mental health care” by Ogundipe et al.
1) The intended purpose of the PPACA was to provide affordable healthcare coverage to every US citizen, mainly those who were previously uninsured or underinsured. The act aimed to increase access to healthcare services and improve the quality of such services. Based on the article and other research on the topic, it can be stated that the PPACA has achieved some of its intended purposes, but not all. While the act has successfully provided health insurance to millions of Americans, it has also faced criticism for the high cost of premiums and deductibles. Additionally, access to healthcare services is not yet universal and remains a challenge for underserved populations.
2) The authors of the article state that one of the primary issues with the quality of care being provided is the lack of emphasis on mental health. Mental health coverage is often not inclusive in traditional healthcare plans, and individuals seeking mental health care often face stigma and barriers to access. Mental disorders are prevalent and often debilitating, and inadequate access to care can lead to adverse outcomes. Moreover, the authors note that the prevalence of chronic health conditions and inadequate access to preventive services have raised concerns about the quality of care being provided.
3) The PPACA attempts to tackle the issues associated with healthcare delivery through four mechanisms. Firstly, it expands access to healthcare services by increasing the number of insured individuals through subsidies and Medicaid expansion. Secondly, it focuses on the quality of care and mandates coverage of essential health benefits, including preventive services, women’s health services, and mental health care. Thirdly, it introduces payment and delivery system reforms designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of care provided. Lastly, it addresses health disparities by investing in public health programs and community-based services.
Conclusion:
The PPACA was intended to reform the healthcare system in the United States, and it has brought about significant changes in the industry. While the implementation of the PPACA has improved access to healthcare and introduced essential coverage mandates, it still faces challenges related to affordability, access, and quality of care being provided. The four mechanisms implemented by the PPACA aim to address these challenges and improve the overall healthcare system.
