HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT Affordable Care Act health care reform?
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17 votes
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53% | ||
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13 votes
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41% | ||
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2 votes
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6% | ||
The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but it’s a big step toward improving care and lowering costs in the $2.6 trillion U.S. health care industry, says Metro Health Chief Financial Officer Tim Susterich.
“I think this is at least a start to begin the process of revamping a health care system that is unsustainable,” he said.
“You can’t get perfection out of the gate. But I believe this is a step toward changing the way we provide health care in the future.”
For hospitals, change will be a fact of life, regardless of what happens politically with the Affordable Care Act, officials say.
Tim SusterichThe U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the health care reform law “was a monumental event, but it wasn’t the beginning,” Susterich said. “That began some time ago.”
Providing more people with coverage for routine health care can lower costs by preventing serious problems that require intensive, costly treatment, he said.
“Under this program, it’s going to be more about managing care and providing preventive care and make sure people have access at the appropriate time and appropriate place,” he said.
Related story: Metro Health honored for program helping uninsured patients
For patients who have suffered a catastrophic illness or injury, the Affordable Care Act will make a big difference in obtaining insurance, said Dr. Chris VandenBerg, of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
“So many people who are disabled lose their jobs and are unable to continue to have health care through their employers,” said VandenBerg, the medical director for program and network development. “And they have needs that need to be addressed, particularly from a functional standpoint.”
Under the law, insurers are not allowed to deny coverage to patients because of pre-existing conditions. And the insurance exchanges will provide better access and more competitive options to insurance, he said. Also, more people will qualify for Medicaid.
With the act’s emphasis on providing care to a population and rewarding quality, it is spurring hospitals and other health care providers to work more closely together, VandenBerg added.
“There are aspects of this Affordable Care Act that are making us do our job better,” he said. “I think it’s really pushed health care systems to rethink how we approach patient care.”
Read More: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index....
Top Opinion
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Wilde~MoonChild ™ 2012/07/01 18:53:19
Secondly, the hype is for you to be able to keep the insurance you currently have. Dig a little deeper into the legislation. The ultimate goal is total elimination of private sector insurance and complete government control. Your doctor will no longer be able to spend face-to-face time with you. Likewise, he will not be able to use his judgment on your condition vis-a-vis necessary testing for certain conditions if the "committee" which is chosen to oversee all of the coverage for healthcare decides that "this test isn't needed."
Moreover, are you happy with the extent of government intrusion into your life today? Regardless of the so-called beneficial aspects of some of the things that are going on, let's say, with New York and the Blooming Idiot who has already made it into your children's lunch boxes and is cranking up for your restaurants. If you're happy with all of that, go for it, kiddo. But think about a few steps further into the future. Give an in...
Secondly, the hype is for you to be able to keep the insurance you currently have. Dig a little deeper into the legislation. The ultimate goal is total elimination of private sector insurance and complete government control. Your doctor will no longer be able to spend face-to-face time with you. Likewise, he will not be able to use his judgment on your condition vis-a-vis necessary testing for certain conditions if the "committee" which is chosen to oversee all of the coverage for healthcare decides that "this test isn't needed."
Moreover, are you happy with the extent of government intrusion into your life today? Regardless of the so-called beneficial aspects of some of the things that are going on, let's say, with New York and the Blooming Idiot who has already made it into your children's lunch boxes and is cranking up for your restaurants. If you're happy with all of that, go for it, kiddo. But think about a few steps further into the future. Give an inch today, surrender a yard tomorrow. That's how it's going to happen.
And speaking of government intrusion, you do know now that the government, compliments of Obamacare, is going to be able to have access to every single piece of information about you and it will all be handled through the Internal Revenue Service. You know, those efficient models of customer service.
Oh, there's more to say but I'm not going to go into it all. It's getting my blood pressure up in the high zone. But I understand how you feel. Our healthcare system does, indeed, need improvement and refinement. But going the socialized medicine route that Obamacare is undeniably taking us is not the answer for a democratic republic such as the United States of America.
The question is not necessarily healthcare itself. The question is far more broad than that. Very simply, the question is this: What kind of country do you want, a socialist country or a democratic republic? That is it in a nutshell. And if you know what you're talking about and understand everything he says and does, you will know full well what Barack Obama's plans for this country are. Your choice, my dear. Frankly, if I wanted to live in Europe, I'd have moved there many years ago.
Health care as it was is failing and changes are needed quickly to upright the sinking ship where health care is to costly and reserved for the ones that can afford it.
You are so naive.
I know why you're so pissed. There is a 10% excise tax on indoor tanning salons services. No wonder Boehner is seen crying so often and Norquist is crying over the fact he might have to pay a small increase on his capital gains taxes. The "something for nothing crowd" crying over a few extra dollars in taxes, again. Who would have thunk it.....Tell me Path how many of these taxes you mentioned affect you? And if they do how much will it cost you? If you aren't afraid to answer honestly that is.