READY for
REFORM
James Rohack , MD , is director of the Scott & White Center for Healthcare Policy and the immediate past president of the American Medical Association . He describes what the healthcare system might expect from the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and how Scott & White is poised to maximize its opportunities on behalf of patients .
T he major achievements of the healthcare reform bill that was passed in March 2010 include a mandate for all Americans to have health insurance by 2014 and for health insurers to cover individuals with preexisting conditions . Other requirements are sure to follow , and so outlining the law ’ s day-today consequences will be a dynamic process that will continue for at least the next five years . “ The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will allow innovation in how healthcare needs to be delivered and paid for in the country . Organizations like Scott & White are positioned to become leaders in guiding the nation to improve the value of healthcare ,” says Dr . Rohack .
“ To implement the new law , regulations are being created by the Department of Health and Human Services . We ’ re reviewing them to make sure that Scott & White has appropriate input ,” he says . “ We also want to ensure that the new regulations allow us to continue with our mission to provide the most personalized , comprehensive , and highest-quality healthcare , enhanced by education and research .”
Ahead of the curve Scott & White Healthcare ’ s patientcentered care approach and physician leadership — a desirable structure for medical organizations outlined in the bill as “ accountable care organizations ” ( ACOs )— have been in place for more than 100 years .
One of the mandates in the bill that was passed was already in place at Scott & White and our health plan before the law went into effect on September 22 , 2010 . Scott & White ’ s group health plan already insured young people up to age 25 on their parents ’ plan ; the new law increases the age to 26 .
But the law also offers a host of new opportunities that will directly affect the number of patients the health system cares for and how we deliver that care .
Small business owners receive a tax credit for providing health insurance to their employees . And some previously uninsured patients will receive coverage under federally run high-risk insurance pools . All children with preexisting
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