Opportunities for Family Physicians

CAFP and AAFP worked hard to ensure the voice of family medicine was heard loud and clear during the health care reform debate. Click here to see a letter written to House and Senate leaders that outlined CAFP's priorities for the final health care reform package,  which included improvements to a residency slot reallocation plan, expansion of medical home demonstration projects, and payment issues related to Medicare.

Our hard work was rewarded. On March 23, 2010, history was made when President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  Among other provisions, this law is expected to: expand health insurance coverage to 32 million uninsured, increase primary care physician payment, improve access to preventive care and implement patient protections against insurance company policy cancellations. Click here to see a timeline of the implementation of the bill's wide-ranging provisions.

Click here to view a message from CAFP Immediate Past President Jack Chou, MD on PPACA.

*NEW* A Roadmap for Physicians to Health Care Reform

The Physicians Foundation released a report for private practice physicians, which examines the provisions of PPACA and how these legislative changes will directly affect their practices. The report, "A Roadmap for Physicians to Health Care Reform," provides physicians with an in-depth perspective on the issues - both societal and economic - that are influencing current reform efforts, as well as insight into the 112th Congress and its possible "reform of the reform." It also focuses on the major legislative changes that hold the most significance to the daily practice of medicine, such as changes in payment systems, quality reporting, shared savings programs workforce and rural initiatives, and select aspects of the changes reshaping the private health insurance market. Download "A Roadmap for Physicians to Health Care Reform" here. 

Check out this nine-minute cartoon provided by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. It is a non-partisan explanation of health care reform.

AAFP launched a Health Care Reform Web Page, where members can find answers to some commonly asked questions about how health reform will affect them, their practices and their patients. You can also view a one-page document that details PPACA's benefits for physicians and patients and the political and legal issues that remain unresolved.

While the passage of PPACA has the potential to greatly improve the health care system, the professional lives of family physicians and the health of patients, it requires our continued attention and vigilance. PPACA is not a done deal. It is an evolving set of opportunities. As the provisions of PPACA are rolled out, you can look to CAFP to provide you with answers to your questions and tips to help you take advantage of PPACA's many opportunities.

Resources:

The Rollout of Health Care Reform

What CAFP Is Doing for You

Maximizing Family Medicine Payment Post-PPACA

The Patient Centered Medical Home

Demonstration Projects and Pilots (coming soon)

Changes to Federal Loan Programs

Graduate Medical Education and Workforce Policies

Links:

At the six-month anniversary of PPACA, many new resources from respected organizations are available.

• A coalition of physicians, consumers, nurses and pharmacists have put together "Health Care and You," a consumer-friendly, easy to use website that lets patients know how health care reform will affect them.
• Visit the AAFP's "Managing Health Care Reform in Your Practice" page to learn how reform can affect your practice and your employees, and find useful resources as you work to implement change into your practice.

• The Kaiser Foundation has launched a comprehensive website on reform, "Health Reform Source," explaining, analyzing and tracking the law's implementation.
• The California Health Care Foundation's health reform website supports implementation of reform in a way that advances the effectiveness of California's public coverage programs.
• The California Endowment has launched "GetCoveredCA," a consumer-oriented website and social media campaign to explain what the law covers and how to get the most out of it.
• The federal government has launched a consumer-oriented site in English and Spanish, to help patients understand the new law, their insurance options and optimal illness prevention strategies.
• The California state government has launched a website that aims to help state residents understand forthcoming changes directed by the federal health reform law. The website will offer comprehensive information on how California is implementing various provisions of the federal health care overhaul.

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