Addressing Disparities in Health Reform
By Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health
Earlier this week, we got the latest evidence of why it was so important to pass the Affordable Care Act. According to reports released on Tuesday, significant disparities persist in both Americans’ access to care and quality of care.
In 2009, minorities were less likely to have insurance and less likely to get the treatments they need. Americans without insurance are much less likely then those with private insurance to obtain recommended care – especially preventive services. The lack of care can lead to chronic disease and even death. And the reports included disconcerting news about the quality of care.
By strengthening our health care system for all Americans, the Affordable Care Act goes a long way to address these disparities in quality and access to health care.
The new law will ensure more Americans have access to affordable, quality insurance and will prohibit denying people coverage because they have a preexisting condition. This will provide more health security for all Americans.
The Affordable Care Act will create a new, consumer-friendly insurance marketplace called an exchange where Americans will get the same private insurance choices that members of Congress have. This will help any American who’s ever struggled to find decent health care coverage.
Reform is also the biggest health care quality law we’ve passed in years. The Affordable Care Act creates incentives for hospitals to adopt strategies to bring their health care associated infections rates down. And the law will expand some of our most effective strategies for fighting chronic disease like Accountable Care Organizations and eliminate all co-pays for recommended preventive care, so no one has to skip a key check-up or screening because of cost concerns.
Everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes with having coverage and getting better care. In a reformed system, more Americans will get the care they need. The quality of care will improve, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender.
