This resource guide from the American Public Health Association includes a series of fact sheets, issue briefs, and other resources that highlight policy issues in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that have implications for public health, and that identify opportunities and promote active engagement of public health stakeholders in health systems transformation efforts.
The ACA presents both challenges and opportunities for traditional public health department roles. The increase in insurance coverage means that many people will no longer need to turn to health departments for clinical services. However, millions will remain uninsured, and still rely on health departments and other safety net providers. Health departments must also adapt and be actively engaged in the implementation of the ACA’s new payment and delivery systems reforms. Without health department engagement, these reforms will not be as successful as they could be, and health departments will lose an opportunity to serve the community and define their role in the changing health system.
The resources provide background and information on prevention and clinical preventive services as well as the potential roles and contributions from the public health sector in health care payment reforms.
Ignatius Bau 