Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act is a comprehensive healthcare reform law implemented in 2010, with the aim of increasing the proportion of the population with health coverage, the affordability of services, and the quality of care. The ACA’s implementation brought about safeguards for those with pre-existing diseases, the establishment of health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid expansion (Gaffney & McCormick, 2017). It also introduced mandates on individuals and employers and provided subsidies with the intention of making insurance more affordable
The ACA’s success was evaluated by increasing insurance coverage through expansion in Medicaid and health insurance marketplaces, reducing healthcare spending and out-of-pocket costs for families, improving the quality of care, reducing hospital readmissions, and increasing access to preventive services. Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation . Moreover, public health reaches were monitored, such as improved chronic disease self-management and reduced disparities in access to health services, which showed signs of major population health improvements achieved.
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By 2022, the ACA reached many Americans by expanding Medicaid to over 14 million adults in states that adopted the expansion. Additionally, about 10 million people gained coverage through the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace. The overall uninsured rate in the U.S. dropped from around 16% in 2010 to 8-9% by 2022. This reduction particularly benefited lower-income groups and communities of color, promoting greater healthcare equity and reducing disparities in access to insurance and care (Fang & Krueger, 2022).
Several unintended ACA consequences emerged. Some individuals, particularly those ineligible for subsidies, faced higher-than-anticipated premiums. Additionally, insurance market instability occurred as some insurers exited the exchanges due to initial uncertainties and financial losses, which reduced options in certain regions (Eguia et al., 2018). While overall access to healthcare increased, some areas, especially rural regions, experienced limited provider availability and longer wait times due to the heightened demand for services, highlighting challenges in addressing geographic disparities in healthcare access.
Key stakeholders in the ACA’s evaluation include federal and state governments, which benefit from insights that improve program administration and budget allocation. Healthcare providers and hospitals gain valuable information about patient demographics, service demand, and potential revenue impacts. Insurance companies require data on marketplace stability and risk management (Gaffney & McCormick, 2017). Consumers and patients, particularly those who gained or maintained coverage due to ACA provisions, benefit significantly. Additionally, community organizations utilize this data to address health disparities and enhance outreach to underserved populations.
The ACA expanded healthcare access, significantly reduced the uninsured rate, and improved preventive care access. However, challenges remained in cost containment and achieving universal insurance coverage, as some Americans continued to find coverage unaffordable or inaccessible in certain regions. Yes, I would recommend implementing this program or policy in my place of work because the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has enabled broader access to care, particularly for underserved populations. Additionally, the ACA emphasizes preventive care, which aligns with nursing goals of health promotion and disease prevention. Moreover, it has led to positive public health outcomes, particularly through its focus on chronic disease management, which resonates with healthcare goals across various settings.
As a nurse advocate, I could become involved in evaluating a program or policy by collecting and reporting patient data on experiences, healthcare access, and quality outcomes, especially for underserved groups. Additionally, I would engage in policy feedback initiatives by participating in state or local boards to share insights and advocate for necessary adjustments. The ACA represents a significant reform with lasting impacts on the U.S. healthcare system. Ongoing evaluations are essential to adapt the program for cost efficiency and to address gaps in coverage, affordability, and provider accessibility Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
References
Brodie, M., Hamel, E. C., Kirzinger, A., & Altman, D. E. (2020). The Past, Present, And Possible Future Of Public Opinion On The ACA: A review of 102 nationally representative public opinion polls about the Affordable Care Act, 2010 through 2019. Health Affairs, 39(3), 462-470.
Eguia, E., Cobb, A. N., Kothari, A. N., Molefe, A., Afshar, M., Aranha, G. V., & Kuo, P. C. (2018). Impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on cancer admissions and surgeries. Annals of surgery, 268(4), 584-590.
Fang, H., & Krueger, D. (2022). The affordable care act after a decade: Its impact on the labor market and the macro economy. Annual Review of Economics, 14(1), 453-494.
Gaffney, A., & McCormick, D. (2017). The Affordable Care Act: implications for healthcare equity. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1442-1452. Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.
Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare:
- Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
- Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.
- Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:
- Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
- How was the success of the program or policy measured?
- How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
- How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
- At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
- What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
- What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
- What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
- Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
- Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
- Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.
By Day 7 of Week 10
Submit your completed healthcare program/policy evaluation analysis.
submission information
Before submitting your final Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK10Assgn+LastName+Firstinitial
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Rubric
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Program/Policy EvaluationBased on the program or policy evaluation you seelcted, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:· Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.· How was the success of the program or policy measured?· How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?· At what point in time in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
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Reporting of Program/Policy Evaluations· What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?· What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?· What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit the most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.· Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?· Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?· Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation Affordable Care Act (ACA) – Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
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Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas.Sentences are carefully focused– neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.
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Written Expression and Formatting – English Writing Standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
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Written Expression and Formatting:The paper follows correct APA format for title page, font, spacing, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list).
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