Healthcare Reform Lives!…Now what?

If you’ve been watching any news channel over the last day, you’ve seen that the Supreme Court of the U.S. has upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.  Known by the short hand “ACA,” “Reform,” or “Obama-Care,” the health reform act remains the law of the land, after a little more than two years since its passage; and despite a series of serious challenges posed by states, public and private interest groups, and the political parties.

So, healthcare reform is still with us, now what?

The path forward remains somewhat unclear, because of the election cycle. Republican hopefuls, for the Presidency and the many seats in Congress, have taken health reform as an issue to build support from a largely under-informed public.

What is clear?

• Accountable Care Organizations will grow and multiply
• Quality-Based Payment, in the form of Value Based Purchasing, will persist
• Bundled Payments will continue in the current demonstration projects
• Readmission Penalties still apply
• IT “Meaningful Use” Incentives remain
• Insurance Exchanges will grow and multiply
• Prevention Programs will gain in momentum and effectiveness
• Medicaid will be expanded, regardless of states’ resistance
• Medical Devices will be taxed
• Pharmaceutical rebates will persist

Promises of Repeal

Despite promises of repeal, it is unlikely that the entire law will suffer a substantial revision, post-election. The provisions that cost money, like the individual mandate, will require further fiscal belt-tightening as the national debt remains an issue. However, the progress toward a more quality and cost focused health system, while ongoing, is not over. More changes and additional rules are anticipated, in short order.

Now what?

Organizations, provider and supplier, must recognize that even a Conservative sweep, in November, will not dampen the momentum of the aforementioned initiatives.  There is an opportunity to leverage “reform” to the benefit of the same institutions.

Now is the time to move your strategy for success toward aligning with the noted reform initiatives and showing the value that your team can bring to this ripe healthcare arena.

Image: Some rights reserved by Leader Nancy Pelosi