New website explores and outs of Affordable Care Act; useful tool for reporters
One of the most complex and far-reaching pieces of
legislation to pass in recent years is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the federal
health-care reform law that, among other provisions, requires Americans to buy
health insurance or pay a penalty.
legislation to pass in recent years is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the federal
health-care reform law that, among other provisions, requires Americans to buy
health insurance or pay a penalty.
But because of its complexity, journalists can shy away from delving into stories about it. With state insurance exchanges and Medicaid expansion sure to be hot topics during the election season and the legislative session, it’s important to have reliable sources of information about the law. The American Public Health Association has a website that answers many if not most of the questions
reporters, and the public, often have.
The website:
• Reviews the fundamentals about the Affordable Care Act and
links to information about Medicaid expansion, insurance exchanges and the
individual mandate.
• Looks at the implementation timeline of the law.
• Includes fact sheets about the ACA’s prevention funding
program, which allows seniors and others to get free preventive care including
mammograms and other screenings.
program, which allows seniors and others to get free preventive care including
mammograms and other screenings.
• Breaks down the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold
the law.
the law.
The website is a useful tool in any health reporter’s
arsenal and is worth a look. (Read more)
arsenal and is worth a look. (Read more)