Submitted by: Peg Smith

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been a bit of a political lightning rod for the Administration since it was signed into law in 2010. In the months that led up to and followed the approval of this controversial legislation, significant misunderstandings of the scope and purpose of this policy reform took the country by storm, which eventually begat flat out lies and untruths. There is no denying that this sweeping reform of the nation s healthcare system represented one of the most dramatic changes to social policy in the country s recent history, yet with that said, many people don t fully grasp what is actually in the legislation. Regardless of your political affiliation or misgivings with the size and scope of the reform, there are a number of features to reform that will help healthcare providers offer a higher quality of care.

For starters, one nice feature of this law is that it is designed to significantly reduce paperwork and some of the administrative red-tape that can be a major burden on healthcare professionals. This will eventually mean that doctors, nurses, and other staff will have more time to focus on patient care and less time to worry about filling out redundant, mundane paperwork. Furthermore, this legislation also offers a significant investment into electronic healthcare records, which is undoubtedly the future of the industry. All too often, patients do not have a full record of their medical history especially when they ve visited countless doctors across the country which can lead to delays, mistakes in coverage, and an overall diminished quality of care.

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Perhaps the most significant component and most controversial of the Affordable Care Act is that it expands healthcare coverage to the more than 30 million uninsured Americans by offering accessible, and affordable healthcare options. This will offer Americans of all ages and socio-economic circumstances the chance to utilize the healthcare resources that our country offers, reducing the incentive to delay or avoid seeking care because they can t make ends meet. In time, this will further reduce the burden placed on emergent care and the healthcare system as a whole because uninsured patients won t be straddled with exorbitant medical bills that they have no chance of ever paying back.

Along the same lines, this policy reform puts a premium on preventative services and public health by investing in local communities. This money will be used to expand coverage, hire professionals, and begin to address many of the issues plaguing America, such as obesity and avoidable chronic disease. By creating a healthier America, we can further alleviate some of the strain on the healthcare system as a whole, which would have long lasting ramifications on our national debt.

There is no denying that this new policy has been the subject of intense scrutiny and controversy and in some instances, this may be with good reason. With that said, the spirit of the law also includes several advantages that can and should have a positive impact on our country in the coming years.

About the Author: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to

business news

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