COMMENT 1:
Expand Telehealth and in home hospital services
In healthcare it is usually the patient’s responsibility to come to the doctors’ offices or call emergency services when they need immediate services. During covid-19 there was a surge of travel nurses and home health services such as physical therapists due to adhering to the social distancing rules. After covid-19 was controlled, the services lessened for at home care and the pay for those who provided these services significantly decreased as well. I believe telehealth should always be a necessity and not a profit-based service. There is an elderly population or other factors that health care workers should take in account for why telehealth and in home services are a useful addition to have.
Reducing inequities in access to healthcare services is a priority for the next generation of healthcare executives. This entails removing racial, social, and geographic barriers that keep some communities from getting the care they need. Ensuring the equitable distribution of healthcare resources and services should be the goal of reform initiatives.
COMMENT 2
Two key reform factors that future health care workers or leaders will need to address are the integration of technology and the shift toward value-based care and payment models. Both factors are critical for improving patient outcomes and ensuring the sustainability of health care systems.
The shift from fee-for – service to value -based care models emphasizes patient outcomes rather than volume of services provided. This reforms is critical as it aims to improve the quality of care, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare leaders need to navigate and implement valued-based care initiatives effectively, ensuring that organizations can meet the quality metrics and financial targets set by the models..
Integration of technology and data analytics including electronic health records (EHRs) telemedicine ,and artificial intelligence (AI) ,are transforming healthcare delivery. The effective use of data analytics can lead to better clinical decision-making, personalized patient care,and improved operational efficiency
Adherence to MCO standards is crucial in the future healthcare vision as it directly impacts the financial stability and operational efficiency of healthcare organization. MCOs play a significant role in regulating cost and ensuring the quality of care through various mechanism such as utilization review,provider networks and performance incentives.
COMMENT 3
Healthcare leaders play crucial roles in shaping healthcare policies. One reform factor healthcare leaders should address in the future is healthcare access and health equity. There are significant health disparities in the United States (US) because of unequal access to care. Minority populations are the most impacted by this issue because they face discrimination that limits them from accessing essential healthcare resources (Maness et al., 2021). Healthcare leaders need to propose policies that will ensure all people have equal access to quality care. This will reduce health disparities in the US. Another reform factor that healthcare leaders should address is value-based care. The current healthcare system is shifting to value-based care to ensure patients access quality and safety care(Teisberg et al., 2020). Healthcare leaders should support the transition by promoting preventive care. They also need to advocate for reforms that will promote improvements in the quality of care. Furthermore, they should support innovations in healthcare that aim to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
The purpose of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) standards is to ensure healthcare organizations provide quality and safe patient care. Adherence to MCO standards is crucial for healthcare organizations because it prevents non-compliance issues. Besides, MCO standards guide healthcare providers in delivering quality care, thus improving patient outcomes (Hinton & Raphael, 2024). Another importance of MCO standards compliance is that it helps to prevent never events like medical errors in hospital settings. When providers follow MCO guidelines, they are less likely to engage in activities that are a threat to patient safety. Adherence to MCO standards also promotes quality improvement. They ensure organizations establish and implement quality improvement programs that foster improvements in patient care. In addition, adherence to MCO standards improves patient outcomes. Therefore, organizations should comply with MCO standards to achieve their visions in healthcare.
COMMENT 4
Promoting patient engagement and understanding of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be achieved through various creative activities designed to educate and involve patients. As a leader wishing to promote and facilitate patient engagement by the organization,Hosting of regular workshops and webinars that explain the ACA’s benefits, eligibility criteria for Medicaid expansion, and how patients can access affordable health insurance is very important,these sessions can be interactive, allowing patients to ask questions and get immediate answers, which enhances understanding and engagement. Development of multimedia campaigns (videos, infographics, social media posts) that highlight the key provisions of the ACA and how they positively impact patients’ health care options,visual and engaging content can simplify complex information and make it more accessible to a broader audience.
It is important for consumers of health to understand health care laws and regulations because, when patients understand health care laws and regulations, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their health care options, coverage, and rights,this knowledge empowers patients to choose the best health care plans, utilize preventive services, and avoid unnecessary costs.
Awareness of laws like the ACA ensures that patients can take full advantage of the benefits available to them, such as subsidies for insurance premiums or expanded Medicaid coverage,maximizing these benefits can lead to improved health outcomes and financial savings for patients.
COMMENT 5
Healthcare leaders might hold instructional seminars, webinars, or community outreach activities to educate patients about the ACA’s effects and encourage their participation. These efforts have to focus on elucidating intricate legalese, offering practical illustrations, and highlighting concrete advantages that patients have reaped as a result of the ACA. Humanizing the effects of the ACA may be achieved via storytelling, for example, by sharing the tales of people who were able to get affordable health insurance or who saw improvements in healthcare delivery as a result of creative approaches (Duggan et al., 2022). Patients may better understand their rights, benefits, and how the ACA improves their healthcare experiences with the use of easily available materials like booklets, infographics, or online tools. Healthcare executives may improve the ACA’s overall efficacy, educate patients, and get them involved in their healthcare by promoting an open and honest discourse via these innovative actions.
Since healthcare rules and regulations affect patients’ ability to get treatment, their financial obligations, and their experience as a whole, it is imperative that consumers of health have a firm grasp on these topics. Factors including insurance coverage, preventative services, and patient rights are influenced by healthcare regulations, like the ACA, which alter the healthcare system’s environment. Consumers who are well-versed in these statutes are better able to assess their health needs, understand their options within the healthcare system, and stand up for themselves when required (Entress & Anderson, 2020). In addition, people may not get the most of their benefits—such as insurance premium discounts or coverage expansions via programs like Medicaid—unless they have a firm grasp of healthcare rules. To accomplish the larger objectives of the ACA in enhancing healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality, informed consumers lead to a patient population that is more empowered and engaged.
COMMENT 6
To effectively promote patient engagement in understanding the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), healthcare leaders can design interactive educational workshops. These workshops could involve real-life scenarios and interactive simulations that explain the benefits of the ACA, such as insurance coverage options, preventive care, and financial assistance. By using role-playing exercises patients can learn how to navigate insurance exchanges, understand their rights and responsibilities under the ACA and identify the various benefits available to them (Mukurunge et al., 2021). This hands-on approach ensures that the information is conveyed in a relatable and understandable way, allowing patients to make informed decisions about their health care.
Another creative activity involves digital storytelling and patient testimonials. Developing a series of short videos or voice recording featuring stories from patients who have benefited from the ACA can be a powerful way to communicate its impact. These narratives can highlight personal experiences with obtaining coverage, accessing preventive services, or receiving financial aid. Sharing these stories through social media, hospital websites, and waiting room screens can help demystify the ACA’s provisions and demonstrate its real-world benefits (Park et al., 2021). This approach not only creates a deeper emotional connection but also encourages patients to explore the ACA’s offerings for themselves and advocate for their health needs.
Understanding healthcare laws and regulations is crucial for consumers as it enables them to navigate the healthcare system effectively, advocate for their rights, and make informed decisions about their care. Knowledge of the ACA helps patients comprehend their entitlements, such as the right to appeal insurance decisions or access to free preventive services. It also empowers them to avoid potential pitfalls, like out-of-network charges or coverage gaps. Educated consumers are more likely to engage in preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and utilize healthcare resources efficiently, which ultimately leads to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs for both individuals and the system as a whole (ACA, 2023).