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: [email protected]
• Phone: 702-287-1847
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