An analysis of health system reform for dermatologists: elements and implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have substantial effects on the US health care system. Physicians hold varied opinions regarding the overall merits or drawbacks of the health system reform law, but it is critical that we understand its components and the implications for our practices and our patients. This article describes the provisions most relevant to dermatology, analyzes the political and economic landscapes that shaped the legislation, and examines both opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Physician leadership will be critical in future years as the regulations are written, the law is implemented, and legislative changes are considered.
Resneck
Jack S
JS
Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California 94143-0316, USA. resneckj@derm.ucsf.edu
D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States