The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama in March 2010. Many of the provisions of the law directly affect health care providers.

Affordable care act | Nursing homework help

Affordable Care (ACA) was a healthcare reform bill that has been in force since March 2010 and is a comprehensive law. The ACA contains provisions designed to enhance public health and improve quality and access of healthcare. The ACA has many important components that relate to public and community health.

1. Access to health care is improved: The ACA has provisions which increase health coverage for both individuals and their families. It is required that most people have insurance, or they will be penalized. Subsidies are available to make it affordable for them.
2. Initiatives for prevention and wellness: The ACA contains provisions that promote wellness and preventive care. Law requires that most health insurance plans cover preventive care, including cancer screenings and vaccinations.
3. Medicaid Coverage: Under the ACA, Medicaid is extended to those with an income up to 138% federal poverty levels. The ACA has improved access to health care for individuals and families with low incomes.
4. Improvements in quality and safety: The ACA contains provisions that are designed to enhance the safety and quality of healthcare. This law provides incentives to providers who improve patient care coordination, decrease hospital readmissions and adopt electronic health records.

It is important that nurses play a key role in implementing ACA. The nurses are accountable for providing high-quality patient-centered healthcare and advocating on behalf of the community and their patients. To help implement the ACA, nurses can:

1. Education of patients and their families on the impact that law has on healthcare and its coverage.
2. Care coordination, electronic health records and collaboration with other healthcare providers are all ways to enhance quality and safety.
3. Promoting policies to promote wellness and prevention, for example access to nutritious food and a safe environment.
4. Provide care to vulnerable and underserved populations in community clinics, public health departments and other settings.

The ACA is a major influence on community and public healthcare. In implementing this law and in promoting health for patients and their communities, nurses play a crucial role.