Updates On Implementation of the Affordable Care Act

In March, 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed by the president. Key goals of the ACA include stabilizing the private health insurance market; ensuring that the healthcare system is more accessible and affordable; controlling costs; ensuring quality improvement across all payors; and increasing national investment in prevention, wellness, and primary care. Potential opportunities for addressing public health and STD prevention-related needs are included in various places throughout the ACA, though public health response and planning in preparation remains mixed. Although some ACA provisions have already gone into effect, most are set to debut in 2014. The first part of this session will take a look at the national picture: where does health reform stand now, what is on the horizon, and what should public health agencies and practitioners be doing to prepare?