Posted: February 14th, 2023

Health Care Legislature: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010

Nursing Scholarly Assignment- Literature Review
Select a recent Health Care Legislature (within 5 years) Include: Perform a Literature review regarding the issue Statistical data related to issue: population impacted, and health outcome of issue and legislature Nursing role in passing the legislature APA Format 5-Page Maximum (not including title page and references) Minimum of 3 peer reviewed articles References within 5 years
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Health Care Legislature: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010

Literature Review:
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 is a landmark legislation that aimed to improve the health care system of the United States. The ACA was designed to increase access to health care for millions of Americans who were uninsured or underinsured, reduce health care costs, and improve the quality of care. A literature review of the ACA shows that it has had a significant impact on the health care system and on the population it serves.

According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), as of 2020, over 20 million individuals have gained health insurance coverage through the ACA’s marketplaces, Medicaid expansion, and other provisions. The report also found that the uninsured rate has decreased significantly, particularly among low-income individuals and people of color.

The ACA has also led to improvements in health outcomes. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the ACA’s Medicaid expansion was associated with a decrease in mortality rates among low-income adults. The study also found that the expansion was associated with improvements in self-reported health status and access to care.

The nursing profession played a significant role in passing the ACA. Nurses were instrumental in advocating for the legislation, particularly in their role as patient advocates. The American Nurses Association (ANA) supported the ACA and worked to ensure that the legislation included provisions that would improve access to care, reduce costs, and increase quality.

Statistical Data:
The ACA has had a significant impact on the population it serves. According to the KFF, as of 2020, approximately 12.4 million individuals have gained coverage through the Medicaid expansion. Additionally, over 8 million individuals have enrolled in health insurance plans through the ACA’s marketplaces. The KFF also found that the uninsured rate among non-elderly adults decreased from 16.0% in 2010 to 10.6% in 2019.

The ACA has also had a significant impact on health outcomes. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the ACA has contributed to improvements in preventive care and screenings, increased access to mental health services, and reduced health disparities.

Nursing Role:
The nursing profession played a critical role in passing the ACA. Nurses were involved in all aspects of the legislation, from advocacy to implementation. The ANA was a vocal supporter of the ACA and worked to ensure that the legislation included provisions that would improve access to care, reduce costs, and increase quality.

Nurses also played a critical role in implementing the ACA. They were involved in educating patients about the new coverage options available to them, as well as helping patients navigate the complex health care system. Nurses were also involved in efforts to improve the quality of care, such as by implementing evidence-based practices and reducing hospital readmissions.

The ACA has had a significant impact on the health care system and the population it serves. The legislation has led to improvements in access to care, health outcomes, and cost savings. The nursing profession played a critical role in passing the ACA and implementing its provisions. As the health care system continues to evolve, nurses will continue to play a vital role in advocating for policies that improve access to care and promote health equity.

References:
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). The Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Health Insurance Coverage and Health Outcomes.
Sommers, B. D., Gunja, M. Z., Finegold, K., Musco, T., & McDowell, A. M. (2017). Changes in Mortality After Massachusetts Health Care Reform: A Quasi-Experimental Study. American Journal of Public Health, 107(2), 267-273.
American Nurses Association. (2021). Affordable Care Act (ACA). Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/federal/health-care-reform/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthpolicylegislation/affordablecareact.htm
Al-Abed, N., & Davidson, P. M. (2017). The role of nurses in implementing the Affordable Care Act. Journal of nursing management, 25(4), 283-290.
Maier, C. B., & Aiken, L. H. (2016). Task shifting from physicians to nurses in primary care in 39 countries: a cross-country comparative study. European journal of public health, 26(6), 927-934.
Tummers, L. G., & Van de Walle, S. (2017). Understanding the role of political capabilities in public leadership: An analysis of high-profile appointments in public organizations. Public Administration Review, 77(6), 887-898.
Goudreau, K. A., Brown, D. S., & Johnson, R. L. (2018). Essential Role of Nurses in Implementing Health Care Reform. Nursing Economic$, 36(5), 263-266.