Health Care Reform

The resources below come from some of the best policy organizations and have been recommended by media outlets (like The Washington Post) as being particularly helpful in helping to parse how the new law affects health care for you, your hospital, and your patients.  Have a suggestion for adding to this list, email Tim Foley, CIR’s Political Director.

The Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care Act. Read CIR President Dr. John Ingle’s Statement issues statement on the Supreme Court ruling here.

How Health Reform Really Works — Center for American Progress

Ellen-Marie Whelan, NP, PhD, the Senior Health Policy Analyst and Associate Director of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress explains how the recently passed health care reform bill will give Americans better care and reduce the deficit. [VIDEO]

Health Reform Hits Main Street — Kaiser Family Foundation

Confused about how the new health care reform law really works? This short, animated movie — featuring the “YouToons” — explains the problems with the current health care system, the changes that are happening now, and the big changes coming in 2014. Written and produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation. [VIDEO]

Timelines for Health Care Reform Implementation — The Commonwealth Fund

Additional Resources

An Internist’s Practical Guide to Understanding Health System Reform
A thorough analysis of “what happens when” with a particular eye on how delivery system and payment reform will affect patients and physicians.

The New Health Care Law and You — AARP
A great summary of provisions relating to Medicare, the Medicare Part D “donut hole”, Medicare Advantage plans and other aspects of the law that applies to senior citizens and Medicare patients.  Go to AARP’s site.

Health Reform — Kaiser Family Foundation
A full summary of all provisions, a premium subsidy calculator, and in-depth discussions of implementation.  Go to KFF’s site.

The Sustainable Growth Rate Formula and Health Reform — Center on Budget and Policies and Priorities
A history of the Medicare SGR and its relation (or non-relation) to the health care reform law passed this year.  Go to CBPP’s site.

HealthCare.gov
A site run by the Dept. of HHS with an explanation of the new law, frequently updated as new benefits become available. The site also allows patients to look up currently available insurance options in their state as well as other coverage options for which they may be eligible. Go to Healthcare.gov.

Consumer’s Union
An expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.   In an attempt to analyze the changes for patients and their families now and in the future, they have released a new straightforward, easy-to-understand FREE guide on the Affordable Care Act. Download report.

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Everything Residents Need to Know About Health Care Reform

CIR Political Director Tim Foley weighs in on everything residents need to know about the latest developments in health care reform.

Affordable Care Act By the Numbers
Download PDFs illustrating how many patients are currently benefiting from some of the provisions that have already been implemented two-years into the Affordable Care Act both nationally and state-by-state where CIR members practice.

New Year, New Benefits and Programs Under Health Care Reform
The Affordable Care Act will be implemented slowly over a number of years, but many have already begun to enjoy some of its benefits. Starting on January 1, 2011, we'll begin to see some dramatic improvements for physicians, for patients who rely on Medicare and Medicaid, and for those who get their coverage through private insurance -- in short, nearly all of us!

When patients have questions, the first person they'll ask is usually their doctor. Here's a primer on the changes that take place on January 1, 2011 and how they move us towards the goal of quality, affordable health care for all.
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Health Care Reform as of September 23, 2010: What’s in Place and What’s to Come
It's hard to believe, but it’s been six months since Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. Although the full extent of health reform will take years to implement, much has already been put in place.

Consider this a handy reference for when your patients have questions -- or when you do!
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The Big Picture on Health Care Reform
CIR will regularly update this page with information about how this health reform law impacts you, your patients, and your hospitals. We'll also have a lot to say about ways we can make our health care system even better and will share with you the best independent resources on reform from around the Web.

Here is an overview of how the health reform law is structured and what changes you can expect in the years to come.
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