By ayandehpajoohi 
Healthcare Reform: Assessing the impact of public policy changes
Introduction
Healthcare reform has been a hotly debated topic in recent years, with numerous changes being made to public policy in an effort to improve access to healthcare, reduce costs, and increase quality of care. These changes have had a significant impact on both patients and healthcare providers, and it is important to assess the effects of these reforms to determine their overall effectiveness.
Impact on Access to Healthcare
One of the primary goals of healthcare reform is to improve access to healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their income or pre-existing conditions. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, has significantly expanded access to healthcare through the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, the expansion of Medicaid, and the provision of subsidies for low-income individuals. As a result, millions of previously uninsured individuals now have access to affordable health insurance coverage.
However, despite these advancements, there are still significant barriers to access healthcare for many individuals. Limited provider networks, high deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs can still prevent individuals from seeking necessary medical care. In addition, the recent repeal of the individual mandate penalty as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 may lead to a decrease in the number of individuals who have health insurance coverage, further limiting access to care.
Impact on Healthcare Costs
Another major focus of healthcare reform is to reduce healthcare costs and make healthcare more affordable for individuals and families. The ACA included provisions to lower healthcare costs, such as the requirement that insurance companies cover essential health benefits and the establishment of accountable care organizations to improve care coordination and reduce unnecessary healthcare spending.
While these provisions have helped to slow the growth of healthcare costs, healthcare spending in the United States continues to rise at an unsustainable rate. Prescription drug prices, in particular, have skyrocketed in recent years, leading to increasing out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families. Additionally, the rise of high-deductible health plans has shifted more costs onto patients, making it difficult for many individuals to afford needed medical care.
Impact on Quality of Care
One of the key goals of healthcare reform is to improve the quality of care that patients receive. The ACA included provisions to promote quality improvement initiatives, such as the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program and the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. These programs incentivize hospitals to improve patient outcomes and reduce the number of preventable readmissions, leading to better care for patients.
Overall, the quality of care in the United States has improved in recent years, with lower rates of hospital-acquired infections, fewer hospital readmissions, and better coordination of care for patients with chronic conditions. However, there are still significant disparities in the quality of care that patients receive, with marginalized populations often receiving lower-quality care compared to more affluent individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, healthcare reform has had a significant impact on access to healthcare, healthcare costs, and the quality of care that patients receive. While the ACA has made important strides in expanding access to care and improving quality, there are still significant barriers to healthcare for many individuals, and healthcare costs continue to rise at an unsustainable rate. Moving forward, it will be important to continue to assess the impact of public policy changes on healthcare and to work towards solutions that ensure all individuals have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.