title: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010: impact on otolaryngology practice and research.
abstract: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Since its passage, the PPACA has led to increased health insurance coverage for millions more Americans, and it includes provisions leading to new avenues for clinical and health services research funding. The legislation also favors development of the primary care specialties and general surgery, increased training of midlevel health care providers, and medical training and service in underserved areas of the United States. However, the PPACA does not effectively engage otolaryngologists in quality improvement, despite modifications to the Physician Quality Reporting System. The legislation also levies a tax on cosmetic procedures, affecting both clinicians and patients. This article reviews the sections of the PPACA that are most pertinent to otolaryngologists and explains how these components of the bill will affect otolaryngologic practice and research over the coming decade.
authors.affiliation: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5604, USA. gordonsu@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: Gordon H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010036:Otolaryngology; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013660:Taxes; D014481:United States