An evaluation of the national prevention strategy and healthy people 2020 goals with targeted improvements for the disabled, enhanced by the patient protection and affordable care act

The National Prevention Strategy's (NPS) overarching goal is to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. NPS strategic direction focuses on: 1) healthy and safe community environments, 2) clinical and community preventive services, 3) empowered people, and 4) the elimination of health disparities. Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) goals to achieve health equity, eliminate disparities and promote good health for all are cornerstones for a more equitable society. The purpose of our study was to evaluate how the NPS with HP2020 Goals could reduce disparities for the disabled. We theorized that NPS and HP2020 have a better chance at improving the health of the disabled by access, quality healthcare, provider satisfaction and improved preventive services. Thereby, potentially reducing delays in receiving primary and periodic preventive care due to specific barriers. We assessed whether specific provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) have the potential to advance NPS strategies and HP2020 targets of 10% improvement in prevention and reduction of chronic diseases for the disabled. This triangulation with PPACA provisions led us to conclude that high-risk pools for pre-existing conditions and insurance rescission bans should have the most potential to reduce disparities among the disabled. Additional provisions for women, minorities and older Americans will also improve health care and outcomes for the disabled. The PPACA supports the NPS and HP2020 goals, achieving patient satisfaction and strengthening equality to protect our most precious and vulnerable populations.