As I sit here tonight thinking about this editorial, it is just days after Jimmy Kimmel's emotionally charged monologue describing the difficult days that he faced with the sudden illness of his infant son shortly after birth. He described what occurred and how his son was immediately whisked off to receive the lifesaving treatment that he needed. Isn't this what we would want for all Americans?
Today the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act, which is the first step in repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which began on January 1, 2014. If the ACA is ultimately repealed, what will it mean for healthcare in America?
I am a healthcare provider who is in the trenches of the ACA, MIPS, MACRA-you name it. I would place myself in the top 5% or less of those who have some grasp of what is going on; yet, I find this the most confusing time of my life when it comes to what the future of healthcare in America will be. What about those who do not understand what lays ahead?
Just 3 years ago, the healthcare system in America underwent the greatest change in history. For the first time, many Americans who had no health coverage finally did. There were a myriad of problems with this program, with families faced with huge deductibles and unable to pay the bills from facilities and physicians; they had absolutely no ability to pay anything more on top of the high premiums. The one thing those Americans had, however, was healthcare coverage. However, it caused another problem-fees that would not be paid because it was just not possible for these patients and families. Providers and facilities were now not being paid for services provided. That is not sustainable either.
Some insurance programs that began under the ACA found it impossible to continue and have closed. This led many Americans to scramble for a new plan. The uncertainty looms heavily on these Americans' shoulders. Is this really how it should be?
Do you think anyone asked whether the Kimmel family had insurance coverage before the child was transferred to a medical facility that could provide the care that their newborn needed? Probably not. What about those who obtained healthcare coverage via the ACA programs? Of course there would be questions. Does the facility accept the particular plan? Is there any hospital in the area that can provide the care that is needed? Will that hospital accept the plan? What Jimmy Kimmel brought to light was the need to be able to provide care for any child who needed it. How do we get there?
Does the ACA provide the services, care, and financial support that are needed? No, it has its limitations. Does the new healthcare plan with the limited information that is known at this point provide the change that is needed? It is too early to know. What is needed is a system that allows healthcare providers to care for their patients just as they always planned their care to be-being able to take care of the patients who need their help. That system would need to provide care for patients and economic stability for providers and facilities. It is no simple task. There should be no rush to "fix" this. We cannot keep changing the plan. Time must be taken to be strategic and determine what has worked and what has not to determine what the future of healthcare in America should be. It cannot be politicized to make a point. Nurses must be included in the conversation. Get in there and speak up.
I think of this as the resuscitation of healthcare system. Stay calm and plan. Healthcare providers are used to keeping their "cool" in the most difficult situations. Here is hoping that the government officials who make these decisions take a moment to breathe and make thoughtful decisions and get this done in the most positive way!