Health Care Reform continues to create anxiety and unsteadiness due to the lack of clarity and the still many unresolved issues. With the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) slated to hit in 2014 columnists, commentators and reporters in the popular media are more closely tuning in and are beginning to recognize and comment on the potential for rough waters ahead.
To that end we think it’s worth calling attention to a recent column by David Brooks (New York Times, April 2013) in case you missed it. We think it’s a balanced appraisal and does a good job of discussing the major issues and fears associated with the implementation of ACA. Brooks’ assessment leans towards being ultimately optimistic. His reporting on the challenges and problems align with what we are finding in the trenches. His column is to the point and definitely worth a read.
Our major concerns remain that many details on plans, rates and implementation are still unknown and the unintended consequences that could ensue. While the law knocks down barriers to obtaining coverage, it seems to do little in terms of addressing costs and bending the cost curve.