Healthcare Program-Policy Evaluation
| Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation | The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA 2010) |
| Description | In order to improve access to affordable healthcare in the US, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA 2010) was created. The program implemented several significant elements, such as the creation of state-based health insurance markets, Medicaid expansion, and the mandate that people get health insurance or face a penalty. The results of the ACA need to be more consistent. The Medicaid expansion and the exchanges let millions of previously uninsured people obtain coverage (Baicker et al., 2023). However, the program also had to deal with issues like increased rates for some people and disagreements over the individual mandate. The Affordable Care Act substantially impacts the US healthcare system overall, but its full implications for costs, quality, and access to care are still being discussed. |
| How was the success of the program or policy measured?
|
The program was evaluated using critical metrics. One of these was the number of people who obtained health insurance, notably through the markets and Medicaid expansion. The program’s effectiveness was also assessed in terms of how it affected out-of-pocket and insurance premium expenditures associated with healthcare. The program’s point was also evaluated using indicators of healthcare quality and accessibility, such as rates of preventive care usage and declines in the number of uninsured people. Finally, public opinion and satisfaction studies shed light on how well the ACA was received. |
| How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy established? | The program affected many Americans in the United States. It is projected that the ACA’s components, such as Medicaid expansion and the health insurance exchanges, helped over 20 million previously uninsured people obtain health insurance coverage (Zielinski, 2023). The number of uninsured people in the nation decreased significantly due to this coverage increase. There were difficulties, including rising premiums for some people, and the program’s effects differed across states and demographics. However, the ACA significantly increased access to healthcare for a sizeable section of the American population. |
| When was the program or policy evaluation conducted during the implementation process? | At various times its implementation, (ACA 2010) underwent program evaluation. Evaluations took place throughout the program’s evolution, including during the first launch of the health insurance markets in 2014 and in the years that followed. The review covered a variety of ACA elements, including how it affected insurance coverage rates, healthcare expenses, healthcare quality indicators, and public opinion (Bellerose et al., 2022). Researchers and policymakers conducted ongoing evaluations to track the program’s development and identify its successes and shortcomings. These evaluations provided valuable insights into the effectiveness and outcomes of the ACA and informed potential adjustments and modifications to enhance its implementation. |
| What data was utilized for the program or policy evaluation? | The evaluation utilized data provided by Medicare and the US Department of Human Services. |
| What specific information on unintended consequences was identified? | The mandate component of the policy received explicit disclosure of unanticipated consequences. Despite the best intentions, it is now clear that many unemployed low-income Americans are still unable to pay even those rates and instead must pay a fine as required by law. These are two punishments at once. |
| 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. | Numerous parties were involved in examining the program, including governmental organizations, health insurance companies, healthcare organizations, patients, and businesses (Das, 2023). Each stakeholder group benefited from the evaluation’s findings and reporting. It informed consumers about how the Affordable Care Act has affected healthcare access, cost, and quality. Government organizations could use the data to evaluate the efficacy of various regulations and pinpoint areas for development. Healthcare providers might adjust their methods and handle changes in healthcare delivery, while insurance carriers could assess the impact on their operations and market dynamics. Understanding how the ACA might affect employee affordability and access to employer-sponsored health insurance helped employers (Soon, 2023). Overall, the evaluation’s findings aided decision-makers in determining the effectiveness of the ACA and pinpointing areas that needed improvement. |
| Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not? | The law successfully achieved its objective by expanding healthcare access to an additional 20 million Americans. However, a drawback to this accomplishment is that the individual mandate has become more of a punitive measure rather than a constructive one. Many individuals with low income and no employment are discovering that they are obligated to pay penalties simply because they cannot afford the rates established by the 2010 ACA. |
| Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your workplace? Give reasons | I would recommend implementing this health insurance at my workplace. This is due to the fact that, despite minor drawbacks like the individual mandate clause, patients with pre-existing diseases are helped in a variety of ways. |
| Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation. | In my role as a nurse advocate, I would actively participate in the evaluation of the policy after one year by seeking feedback from patients to assess their level of satisfaction. Additionally, I would conduct a rigorous scientific study to comprehensively understand the negative consequences of the individual mandate clause within the 2010 Affordable Care Act. The findings of this study would be reliable and authoritative, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions based on the results. |
| Notes/Comments | The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 marked a significant step towards achieving universal healthcare coverage (UHC) in the United States. Despite the challenges encountered, the program has had a profound impact, particularly on individuals with limited financial resources and inadequate healthcare access. Those living in poverty and coping with chronic conditions such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease have experienced substantial benefits through the provision of coverage for pre-existing conditions under the ACA. |
References
Baicker, K., Chandra, A., & Shepard, M. (2023, January 1). Achieving Universal Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: Addressing Market Failures or Providing a Social Floor? National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/papers/w30854
Bellerose, M., Collin, L., & Daw, J. R. (2022). The ACA Medicaid expansion and perinatal insurance, health care use, and health outcomes: A systematic review. Health Affairs, 41(1), 60–68. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01150
Das, R. (2023). Book review essay: How to craft a value-based strategy for your healthcare organization. Public Organization Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-023-00696-3
Soon, Y. W. (2023). Essays on the interactions between health insurance and labor markets, and the role of the Affordable Care Act. Dash.harvard.edu. https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/37375762
Zielinski, M. (2023). Medicaid Expansion Case Study: Differences between Florida and New York Medicaid Expansion Policy. MUSC Theses and Dissertations. https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/theses/771/
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Question 
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.
Healthcare Program-Policy Evaluation
Nurses can play a very important role in 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.
WEEKLY 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.
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