Online Program

Oral

This policy-focused special session organized by the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Public Health will provide new perspectives on national health reform from diverse points of view. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is expected to bring about far-reaching reform of the U.S. health care system. It is intended to address, among other issues, health care quality, affordability, efficiency, and access; workforce capacity; prevention of chronic diseases and a focus on wellness; and revenue. There are provisions that address public health programs and strategies to improve public health. Some of the law’s consumer protections are already in place, and more will be implemented in 2014. The session will begin with a discussion of the ACA from a legislative perspective. This will be followed by a discussion of the ACA’s possible impact on the health care safety net, focusing on one of the models integral to health reform, accountable care organizations. The third presentation will discuss the ACA from the standpoint of universal health care and health care as a human right. The session will close with time for questions and discussion. Throughout, the presenters will discuss the relevance of health reform implementation in Massachusetts to national health reform.

Session Objectives: Discuss the legislative development of the Affordable Care Act. Describe the possible impact of the Affordable Care Act on safety net programs for vulnerable populations. Describe the role and limitations of the Affordable Care Act in providing universal health care.