Health Care Reform and Communities of Color:What’s Next for Health Disparities

Melva Thompson-Robinson, DrPHExecutive Director, Center for Health Disparities ResearchAssociate Professor, School of Community Health SciencesUniversity of Nevada Las Vegas

Objectives for the Presentation

• By the end of the session, members of the audience will be able to:

1. discuss the highlights of Affordable Care Act

2. identify potential ways that the Affordable Care Act will be able to address health disparities

What is today?Friday, March 23, 2012

Happy 2 yr Anniversary!

What is ACA?

• ACA=Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act• Goals:• Reform health insurance

• Reduce health care costs

• Guarantee more health care choices

• Phased in between 2010 and 2018

Key Aspects in Place

• Health insurance coverage for dependents up to age 26

• Uninsured with pre-existing conditions can get insurance through high-risk pool

• Limits on lifetime benefits for individuals eliminated

• Pre-existing conditions exclusions eliminated

What’s to Come?

• Individuals must obtain health insurance

• Employers with 50 or more employees must offer coverage

• State health insurance exchanges must be established

• Pre-existing condition exclusions eliminated for adults

Why Does Monday, March 26, 2012 Matter?

Review of Constitutionality

What Does ACA Mean for Communities of Color?

Key Provisions in ACA

• Data Collection:• Race

• Ethnicity

• Sex

• Primary language

• Disability status

Key Provisions in ACA

• Prevention Efforts• Public Health Prevention Fund

• Community Transformation Grants

• School-based Clinics

• Nurse-Managed Health Clinis

Key Provisions in ACA

• Workforce Development• National Health Care Workforce Commission• Diversity of workforce

• Cultural and linguistic competency training

• Loan Repayment Programs

Key Provisions in ACA

• State optional Medicaid coverage for family planning services

• Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation services for pregnant women

Where Do I Fit in This?

Next Steps

• Advocate, Educate, Communicate Clearly

• Adapt, Adjust, Forge New Partnership

• ALL policy is HEALTH policy!

• Claim a seat at the table!

Want to Know More?

• http://www.healthcare.gov

• http://www.cuidadodesalud.gov/enes/

• My contact information:• Melva Thompson-Robinson, DrPH

• Email: melva.thompson-robinson@unlv.edu

• Phone: 702-287-1847