4/15/12

While my webtext is already at approximately 2,031 words, I need to expand some sections and more clearly develop some ideas.  In order to expand my webtext I will add more analysis about the benefits of the PPACA.  I have focused more on the negative aspects so far, but I plan to elaborate more on the long-term benefits.  Also, I will add information from the interview I will conduct.  I plan to get an emergency room physician’s opinion about the effects of the PPACA, so I will add the information where it is appropriate. 

While expanding my information about the benefits, I will focus less on the emergency room aspect.  Therefore, I may need to change some of my section headings and update some information.  I will still include some information about emergency rooms, but my webtext as a whole does not focus around emergency medicine.  While I am changing some section headings, I need to add a sentence in the section titled “Basics of the PPACA” before including the source.  I will add a topic sentence in order to direct my readers to the statistics that I provide instead of starting with the source. 

I also plan to expand my conclusion more.  Right now I basically restated my thesis, but I will add more details about how the benefits and consequences will affect the future of health care.   An overall reflection about how health reform will be affected with the passing of this bill will add depth to the conclusion.

I also need to add more anchor texts to fit the criteria for the final prompt.  I could add anchor texts that detail the actual costs of medical school, and maybe another anchor text describing the services performed in the emergency room.  I plan to incorporate my slideshow in the job promotion section, and maybe add some background information about nursing and the PPACA in this section as well.  I can incorporate my podcast in the section that details Medicaid expansion and its effects. 

I will also do a final check and make sure all grammar and spelling is accurate.  I will also double check all of my links and anchor texts to make sure that they are accessible for readers.  

Noun phrase

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Verb phrase

Exploring the Effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Examining the Benefits and Consequences of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

How to fragments

No how to fragment titles fit my project.

Questions

Will the Benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Outweigh the Consequences?

Sub-titles

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Analyzing the Potential Outcomes

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Weighing Benefits and Consequences

I believe that the sub-title will best serve my audience.  It offers the most concise description of everything my project analyzes and most closely relates to  my thesis.  I will use Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Weighing Benefits and Consequences for my project.  I researched overcrowding and shortages, but also job promotions and increased funding that will result from the PPACA.  Therefore, this title best fits my research and conclusion.  

Kaplan, L., (2010).  2010 national health care reform: An initial overview of opportunities for nurses and nursing in Washington state.  Washington State Nurses Association.  Retrieved from: http://www.wsna.org/Topics/Healthcare-Reform/documents/2010%20HCR%20Issue%20Brief%20v1%20r1.pdf

This article begins by describing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its basic concept.  The author then goes on to provide a summary of the PPACA and the opportunities that will become available for nurses.  She discusses increased financial support and loan repayment programs as options to increase the supply of nurses.  She also discusses how the increased demand for nurses will offer greater job opportunities to advanced practice registered nurses. 

The author of this article seems very credible to speak on this topic.  She holds a PhD and she is an advanced registered nurse practitioner herself.  Also, the article is published in the Washington State Nurses Association, which increases the credibility of the article.  The information seems accurate and credible sources such as the American Nurses Association are used throughout the article.  Also, the sources are listed in a reference list at the bottom of the page.  The article was written in 2010, which means that the information is current.  The information provided also seems credible; the facts are written and backed up by sources.  Also, the author does not seem biased toward any side. 

I can use this source to describe the new job opportunities that are available for registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses.  I can also use this source to discuss the increased demand for nurses and what that means for nursing students.  

Wakefield, M., (2010).  Nurses and the Affordable Care Act.  American Journal of Nursing, 110.9, pg.11

This article explores the many opportunities that the PPACA will provide for nurses.  The author discusses the many loan and grants that will be set up and how they will affect nurses and nursing students.  A few different loans are described in detail, and the grant for Nurse Managed Health Clinics is described as well. 

This author seems very credible to speak on this topic.  She is a registered nurse and has a PhD, and she is the administrator of the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.  The information provided seems very accurate; the author describes a few of the components of each of the loans available and simply gives the facts.  A link is provided at the bottom of the article for more information.  The article was also written in 2010, meaning that the information is current.  The information is objective and provides facts without bias.   

I can use this source to describe the many loans and grants that the PPACA provides for nurses.  I can use the information from this article to explain how the loans will allow more students to become nurses because they have increased financial means to do so. 

Sagion Times. (2010). [Photograph], Retrieved March 29, 2012, from: http://en.www.info.vn/society/facts/14481-ministry-has-no-solutions-for-hospital-overcrowding-drug-supply.html

I can use this image when explaining how increasing the nursing jobs while help prevent overcrowding.  The PPACA will allow more people to visit hospitals, so more nurses will need to be hired to care for all of these people.  

Bureau of Health Professions.  RN supply and demand projections, [Chart],  Retrieved March 30, 2012, from: http://www.nursingphd.org/articles/shortage.php

I can use this graph when explaining the projected need for nurses.  The demand outweighs the supply, so the PPACA offers several incentives for nursing students to solve this problem.  

Center for California Health Workforce. (2011). Projected shortage of registered nurses in California, [chart],  Retrieved March 30, 2012, from: http://www.nursingsalary.org/tag/health-care-reform

This is another graph describing the supply and demand for nurses, but I haven't decided which one to use.  This graph covers a greater time period, but it is unique to California.

Kuhs, R. (2011). [Photograph], Retrieved March 30, 2012, from: http://hni.com/what-we-do/benefits/health-care-reform-roadmap/?Tag=Patient+Protection+and+Affordable+Care+Act

I can use this image when describing the relationship of the PPACA with government provisions.  The government will regulate the funding for the grants and loans that will be available.  

US Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Projected change in total employment, selected health care professions, [Chart],  Retrieved March 30, 2012, from: http://www.mastersinnursing.com/guide/nurse-practitioner-vs-physician-assistant-which-career-is-right-for-you/

This image depicts the overall changes in employment for several health occupations from 2006 to 2016.  I can use this graph not  only to show how many more nurses will be needed, but also other related careers in the health field. 

2009.  Nurse job [photograph].  Retrieved March 29, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36002442@N03/3328472479/

I can use this photo as the opening photo because it represents nursing and it will help convey the topic to the audience.

2009. Nursing job opportunities [photograph].  Retrieved March 29, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36002442@N03/3329310108/

I can use this photo when discussing the effect of nursing job promotions on patients.  Increasing the number of nurses means that each patient can receive better care, as demonstrated by the nurse in the photo.  

Buerhas, P.  (2000). Number of projected open RN positions [graph].  Retrieved March 29, 2012 from: http://www.travelingnursejobsinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nursing-job-shortage-2012.gif

I can use this graph when explaining how the PPACA will require thousands of new nurses to care for all the people obtaining health insurance.  The PPACA offers several job promotions and incentives in order to decrease the projected shortage. 

3/28

For my slideshow I decided to research the effect of the PPACA on nursing.  The written portion of my webtext explores the effect on physicians, but while completing my research I didn’t come across any information about how nurses will be affected.  This piqued my curiosity and I did some preliminary research about nurses and job promotion.

With a large increase in patients in the coming years due to the PPACA, more nurses will be required.  The PPACA offers several incentives to entice more people to join nursing programs and offers increased financial support for nursing students.  These steps will increase the overall care that patients receive.   

The PPACA will allow 30 million more people to receive health insurance, and these people will need nurses to care for them.  Whether in hospitals or clinics, more nurses will be needed in the coming years to accommodate patient growth.  The PPACA combats this issue by providing several grants to help students achieve their goal of becoming a nurse.  For example, the Nursing Workforce Diversity allows students with disadvantaged financial backgrounds to become nurses by offering them long-term loans to pay for school.  They can stretch the payment period out to make smaller payments that are more affordable.   The PPACA will also allow nursing students to borrow up to $4,000 more than they could before, which is almost a 25% increase.  Providing these financial options encourages growth in the nursing field.  More individuals will be able to afford nursing classes than ever before.   Also, the PPACA will provide $50 million to fund health clinics managed by nurses (NMHCs), which provides nurse practitioners and midwives greater opportunities to help patients. 

Increasing the workforce of nurses will promote increased patient care because more nurses will be available to care for the new and existing patients.  More nurses are needed to fill the void left by the 30 million new patients that the PPACA will bring in.  Also, increasing the amount of nurses will provide thousands of jobs for Americans.

I believe that this topic is well-suited to an audio/video presentation because I can use images such as graphs or charts to better explain the statistics, such as the projected increase in nurses, the amount of money available for nursing students, etc.  I can use graphs found online or make my own with Excel.  I can also use images to convey the nurse/patient aspect.  This slideshow will complement the collaborative project because it examines the effect of the PPACA on the field of nursing.  It also addresses the issue of overcrowding and explains how the PPACA will attempt to resolve this problem.   Along with the shortage of physicians, a nursing shortage will affect patient care, and job promotion hopes to overcome this issue.   

3/21

Podcasts and written essays are both texts, but there are some differences between them.  For example, a podcast is written to sound more conversational while a written essay is usually more formal.  The author writes a podcast in a manner that seems to speak to the listener.  Podcasts are spoken aloud, so the author can use different tones to convey emotions easily.  Also, a podcast is usually much shorter than an essay.  An essay tends to go into more detail while a podcast gets the point across quickly.  I think these differences are so because podcasts seem to communicate with the reader while essays are more formal and closed to communication.  Essays provide the information and usually don’t offer any contact between the author and reader. 

However, written essays and podcasts can have the same purpose.  Whether to inform, entertain, or persuade, both provide information to a reader or listener.  Supporting evidence is provided to back up the main ideas.   Sources are also used in each provide more credibility to the author.  Also, both usually consist of an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.  

3/15/12 Research Protocol

I will be interviewing Dr. Stevan Vuckovic, the assistant director of the emergency room at St. Anthony’s.  I will call in advance to schedule an appointment to request an interview.  Dr. Vuckovic is in his office two days a week, so I will try to get an appointment on a day that he has some free time.  I am conducting this interview in order to determine if the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has had an effect on emergency departments in the area.  I will ask questions that determine if overcrowding and shortages of health care professionals have occurred in this specific emergency room.  While visiting the emergency department, I can also observe how busy the department seems, as well as note how busy the waiting room is.  I will prepare for this interview in advance by composing a list of questions that will determine if my thesis is correct.  I will then ask these questions as well as questions that are posed by Dr. Vuckovic’s answers.

           

From this primary research I hope to learn how the PPACA effects emergency departments in the eyes of a physician.  Physicians know the inner workings of the emergency department, so insight from this point of view will be very valuable to my research.  I also hope to determine if the passing of the first few components of the bill has had any noticeable effects thus far.  I can compare findings from previous years to recent times in order to determine the effects.  Finally, I hope to learn how the standards of patient care have been affected by recent changes due to the PPACA.

Questions I will ask:

1.  Have you noticed any significant overall changes in the emergency department since the passing of the PPACA?  What are they?
2.  Has overcrowding become more apparent since the passing of the PPACA?
3.  Have you noticed more patients on Medicaid visiting the emergency room?
4. How often do you treat patients who come to the emergency room in place of a doctor visit?   Has this number increased recently?
5.  How has the wait time to be seen been affected?
6. Are shortages of health care professionals prevalent?
7. Has the level of care that patients receive been altered in any way?  How so?
8. What effects do you expect after the full integration of the PPACA for emergency medicine overall?
9.  How do you think the running of emergency departments will change?
10.  Do you believe that the PPACA will result in a positive outcome for emergency medicine?  Why or why not?

3/15/12

While studying various printed and online sources, I have realized that online text appeals more to the reader than printed text.  Text online is written in small, scan-able sections that are easy on the eyes, while a printed essay is written in a continuous section.  I think more care is taken when writing online because readers can easily find another source with similar information on the web.  Online text can also utilize lists and bullet points, while a printed essay only uses paragraphs.  This type of listing makes scanning easier for the readers. 

While both types of sources contain the same basic information, a text like a podcast uses the inverted pyramid style to provide information.  Essays follow a strict format, with the introduction followed by the supporting paragraphs.  Texts such as a podcast provide the important information first to make sure the reader gets the most important information out of the article.  I believe text online is written in this manner because even if the readers just scan the content, they still get the vital information.

Also, the information provided in an online text often does not go into as much detail as a printed source.  The main points are made and “fluff” information is usually not present.  While reading or listening to a podcast, too much information can seem overwhelming and detract the reader’s interest.  The reader may not use that particular source or they won’t remember pertinent points because they are lost in the insignificant details.

The language used in the two types of sources also differs.  Printed sources often utilize more technical, sophisticated language.  I have noticed that online sources usually use simpler language choices while still getting the point across.   I believe that online sources use simpler language because the authors want the readers to simply understand the main ideas, not get lost in sophisticated styles.  However, scholarly online sources still retain an educated, formal tone similar to that in a printed essay. 

Both sources of information use citations, but texts such as a podcast must verbally cite the sources.  Readers may not have a script to follow, so the sources must be spoken so the authors receive credit.  A printed essay can have parenthetical citations that link to a reference list. 

2/21/2012 Midterm

While composing my webtext and discussion posts this semester my main goal has been to create an academic, objective tone.  I have been striving to create an unbiased webtext that examines the two issues fully without letting my personal opinions get in the way.  Thus far, my biggest challenge is writing with an objective, informative tone, rather than a persuasive tone.  I am examining studies that have been done as well as other evidence and drawing my conclusions off of this research.  I am tempted to explain my personal views, so my biggest challenge has been to objectively provide information and logical conclusions based of off accepted sources.  Before completing any research, my only knowledge on this topic was personal opinions that I learned from family and friends.  However, after conducting research I have learned a substantial amount more than I started with.  I am overcoming the challenge of writing objectively by fully reading articles to understand the author's main points and then analyzing their information to comprehend how it relates to my topic.  I feel that I have learned a lot about my topic as well as how to analyze and use various sources.

Another obstacle that I have encountered has been writing in a professional tone.  I have never used a blog before, and I have discovered that writing online is different than writing on paper.  At first it was tempting to write similar to styles on social networking sites, without proper English or grammar.  I have learned to utilize links and anchor texts.  

I have also learned a lot about using proper sources.   Before completing research on my topic, I was tempted to use any source that seemed reliable on first glance.  Now, I look at the author and their credibility, as well as the objectiveness of the site.  I now only use sites that contain unbiased, reliable information to add credibility to my own webtext.  I feel as though learning to properly analyze other websites allows me to find faults more easily in my own.  This has allowed me to think about what effect my writing styles and choices provide and the effect on my writing as a whole.

I have also been trying to write with a more sophisticated writing style in order to convey an academic tone to my webtext.  It has been challenging to use a wider variety of words and sentence structures, but I know variety will increase a readers' interest in my webtext.  Also, I have based my font choices and colors on my academic tone.  I have chosen dark font colors on a white background, which allows for easier reading.  I have also opted for plain fonts, rather than swirly fonts.  I have also been looking at images that will add credibility to my site, such as scientific images and images with neutral colors.   In order to overcome this challenge, I have examined other webtexts and scholarly articles for inspiration.  I learned what color choices are harder to read, and I have analyzed images to understand their effect on the overall webtext.  I have also learned techniques such as breaking up my writing into sections to make reading easier.

Overall, I feel that my writing journal and webtext have provided me with a greater understanding of online writing.  I have learned to adapt my previous writing style to suit the needs of writing on a website.  Also, I have learned the importance of providing objective information and analyses to enhance my argument.

Abraham, J.M., Hofner, A.N., Moscovice, I., (2011). Expansion of coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and primary care utilization.  The Millbank Quarterly, 89.1, pg. 69-89.

Summary: This article considers the effects of the PPACA on primary care, such as visits to the emergency room.  The authors also discuss the shortage of primary care physicians that may result from the bill.  They also utilize research to determine how often people visit emergency rooms and how much that number will increase once the bill is in full effect.

Assessment: The authors of this article seem very credible and the information they provide seems reliable and useful. All of their information is backed up with statistics and various studies, and there are several charts included that summarize their data.  The information is very objective and does not seem to be biased.

Reflection: The information I learned while reading this article was very relevant to my topic and I will use this information in my project. It helps support one of my main ideas and provides a lot of statistics I could utilize. It further enhanced my understanding of the act.

Berger, E. (2011).  Emergency physicians face uncertainty in accountable care organizations: Health care megatrend brings threats, opportunities for emergency medicine.  Annals of Emergency Medicine, 57.4, A13-A15.  

Summary: This article introduces the topic of accountable care organizations and the changes that the PPACA can bring about.  The author discusses the benefits that may come about from creating accountable care organizations, such as increased uniformity of patient’s records.  He also discusses the potential downfalls for care in emergency rooms, such as expensive care that may be unnecessary.

Assessment: The information in this article seems to be really objective and unbiased.  The author discusses both sides of the argument and backs up all of the claims with evidence.  He uses a lot of credible sources.  The information in this article provided an interesting viewpoint for my topic.

Reflection: This article provided an interesting topic that I would like to use in my project.  It gave me a new topic to support my argument and provided insight on something I wasn’t familiar with about the PPACA.  It caused me to think about the varying affects that accountable care organizations can have on emergency medicine.

Bisgaier, J., Rhodes, K.V., (2011).Cumulative adverse financial circumstances: Associations with patient health status and behaviors. National Association of Social Workers, 36.2, pg. 129-137. 

Summary: The authors of this article completed a study of patients in emergency rooms and their differing financial backgrounds.  The polled random people to discover what effects their finances had on things such as food and physician care in emergency rooms.  They then analyzed all of their data and created tables listing numerous factors of their experiment.

Assessment: This article was a well-written analysis of the experiment.  The authors gathered a lot of data from varying social and economic groups to compose their analysis.  There is an unbiased, objective tone to this article, and they rely on the data to back up their findings.  The information provided seems relevant and reliable.

Reflection: While the information provided in this article is interesting and reliable, I will not use this source because it isn’t really relevant to my topic.  It will not enhance my argument at all and does not seem necessary. The article really didn’t discuss the PPACA at all.

Goldsmith, J. (2011). Accountable care organizations: The case for flexible partnerships between health plans and providers. Health Affairs. 30.1, pg. 32-40.

Summary: This author discusses the affects that accountable care organizations can have on hospitals.  He emphasizes the Medicare program and how physicians could receive rewards for using accountable care organizations, in an attempt to reduce Medicare spending.  He also analyzes the flaws in this plan. The author also discusses flexible contracting as an alternative to accountable care organizations.

Assessment: The information in this article seems reliable and is backed up by evidence.  However, the author seems slightly biased because he only discusses the flaws of doctors participating in accountable care organizations. The article includes several references and the author has a credible background on the topic.

Reflection: This article is objectively written and contains information that enhances my topic concerning the PPACA.  This information could help back up my argument.  Also, this article provided me with new information about my topic that helped change my understanding of how the bill will work.

Goodson, J.D. (2010). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Promise and peril for primary care. Annals of Internal Medicine. Volume 152.

Summary: This article begins by stating the basic components of the act, and then gives statistics about physicians in the US and other countries around the world.  The author then explains the different promises of the act, and then analyzes their flaws.  Topics such as physician payment and  the increasing need for workers are covered.

Assessment: This article seems useful because it explains aspects of the bill and then analyzes the potential adverse effects.  However, it appears slightly biased because it only finds the flaws in the bill and not the benefits.  The information seems to be reliable, and references are listed at the bottom of the article.

Reflection: This source was very interesting to read, and holds some benefits for my research.  I will likely not use this source in my paper because it could be considered biased.  However, it did offer some ideas that are similar to other articles that I have read.

Knickman, J.R., Martinez, J., Powell, W., Ro, M., & Villa, N.W. (2011). Transforming the delivery of care in the post–health reform era: what role will community health workers play? American Journal of Public Health. Volume 101, No. 12.

Summary: This article considers the changes that the PPACA will bring to the medical field and the changing roles that community health workers will play.  They discuss the roles that community health workers can play in primary care and caring for people with chronic diseases.

Assessment: This article contains objective, reliable information.  Numerous sources are used, and there are references throughout the article.  The article was also written by a team of medical professionals. The information seems relevant to the topic.

Reflection: While the information in this article is accurate, I will not use it because it does not relate to emergency medicine.  The effects of the PPACA are accurately analyzed, but not for the emergency medicine aspect.  However, it was interesting to read about the changes that are taking place in other fields as well. 

2/7 In Class Research

Goodson, J.D. (2010). Patient protection and affordable care act: promise and peril for primary care. Annals of Internal Medicine. Volume 152.


Knickman, J.R., Martinez, J., Powell, W., Ro, M., & Villa, N.W. (2011). Transforming the delivery of care in the post–health reform era: what role will community health workers play? American Journal of Public Health. Volume 101, No. 12.

Bracht, F., Jolivette, G., Martin, S., Murawski, L., & Wurden, M. (2010). The patient protection and affordable care act: an overview of its potential impact on state health programs. Retrieved from: http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2010/hlth/fed_healthcare/fed_healthcare_051310.pdf

Summary:
This report offers a great summary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, providing information about the key provisions of the law.  The mandates are listed and explained in a way that is easy to comprehend.  Also, the estimated effects on state health programs are described in detail, as well as the possible consequences.  At the end of the document the broad, overall effects that the bill could cause are examined in great detail.
Assessment: This document provides an objective, unbiased report on the possible effects of the new bill.  All aspects are assessed in great detail.  The authors provide several figures throughout the document that include statistics to back up all of their key points. This sources seems reliable and provides useful information.
Reflection: I will use this source for my project because it provides objective information that could supplement my research.  It provides some evidence that I could use to further enhance my argument. This source was very useful by not only providing background information about the bill, but by providing insight into the possible consequences.

Foster, R.S., (2010). Estimated financial effects of "patient protection and affordable care act" as amended.  Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/ActuarialStudies/downloads/PPACA_2010-04-22.pdf
Summary: This report examines the financial impact that the bill will cause. It analyzes the costs verses savings that will result several areas, as well as the impact of the federal expenditure. The document also examines how the bill will cause a spike in health care costs.  The national increase in health expenditure is also analyzed.  At the end of the document is a conclusion, which neatly sums up the expected impact of the bill from a financial aspect.
Assessment: This is a long document that provides a great deal of information, but the information seems reliable.  All of the claims are backed up with financial data, and several graphs are used to emphasize the key points and provide credibility to the author. The information provided in this document is unbiased and very objective.
Reflection:I will most likely utilize this source because it provides useful facts and statistics that could help me support my arguments. The financial effects help enhance some of my key points, and this data is from a reliable and trustworthy source.  This source was very helpful because it not only provided raw data but examined the financial effects of this bill in all areas that will be affected.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care was passed in 2010 in an attempt to provide all Americans with health insurance. On the surface, this seems to be a noble idea that has the potential to help millions of people. However, I believe that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could have a potentially negative impact on emergency medicine. 

Millions of people will soon have health insurance, which means millions of people visiting hospitals and emergency rooms.  The number of individuals eligible for Medicaid will also increase, allowing even more people to visit doctors.  Overcrowding will inevitably occur, and a shortage of medical professionals will soon result.  Also, because of the increased demand for emergency care, the level of care that patients receive could be significantly lowered.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect everyone with health insurance because they face changes in their current insurance, as well as individuals who lack health insurance, because it will soon be required by law.  All of these individuals will be interested in the effects of the bill on the care they will receive. I believe that this topic is extremely important because it has the potential to change emergency medicine as we know it.  In addition, I plan to become a doctor and I am very interested in emergency medicine and the changes that could come about.   I believe that emergency health care workers such as doctors and nurses will be especially interested in this topic because their work environment could change drastically in the future.  The passing of this act could have a huge impact on the field of emergency medicine.

In conclusion, I believe that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could have a detrimental effect on emergency medicine.  Several consequences could result that have the potential to lower the standards of patient care. 

Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD, David Caraway, MD, Allan T. Parr, MD, Bert Fellows, MA and Joshua A. Hirsch, MD.  2011. Pain Physician 2011.  Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010: 
Reforming the Health Care Reform for the New Decade. Retrieved from: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2011/january/2011;14;E35-E67.pdf


Harry A. Sultz and Kristina M. Young. 2010. Health Care USA. Jones and Bartlett Learning, Boston,  Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/booksid=r1ASWbMugj4C&pg=PA60&dq=patient+protection+and+affordable+care+act&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yMgqTWsHZC5twef0M34Dw&ved=0CFsQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=patient%20protection%20and%20affordable%20care%20act&f=false

Provide background for the issues:  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a plan designed to provide health insurance to everyone.  This bill could have significant negative consequences on the medical field.  Health care can change significantly from how we know it today, and some effects could lower the level of care people receive.

Summarize the purpose of your project and how you will accomplish it: This paper will examine the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its effects on the medical field.  I will identify aspects of the bill that can be detrimental to the medical field and examine their effect on patient care.  I will also research data on the impacts of the first components of the bill that have been passed.

Include a “working title:” Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Can it Cause a Negative Impact on the Medical Field?

Indicate questions to be answered:

Key Question: What impact can the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have on the medical field and the medical care we are accustomed to?

Sub-Questions: Will hospitals suffer from overcrowding if more people have health insurance?  Will more health care professionals need to be hired? Will health care professionals receive the same wages?  Will expanded Medicaid eligibility encourage people to take advantage of medical services? Have any negative consequences been observed since the first components of the bill have passed?  Do other countries with a similar system suffer any consequences?

Health Section, (2010).  Legislative Analyst's Office.  The patient protection and affordable care act: an overview of its potential impact on state health programs. Retrieved from: http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2010/hlth/fed_healthcare/fed_healthcare_051310.pdf

Foster, R.S., (2010). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Estimated financial effects of "patient protection and affordable care act" as amended.  Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/ActuarialStudies/downloads/PPACA_2010-04-22.pdf

I am interested in health care reform plans because I plan on becoming a doctor and I want to know how medical care will be affected. The plans could cause significant change to the medical field as a whole, and all United States citizens will be affected.  I want to know if the reform plans will prove to be beneficial or negative to the people of America.  How might the health care reform bill affect the average, middle class American?


In response to this question, I could broaden the topic to include questions such as:

How will the health care reform bill affect the overall economy of the United States?

What impact will health care reform have on the medial field as a whole?

Also, I can narrow this topic to include questions such as:

How will government interaction affect the level of care that patients receive in Emergency Rooms?

What affect will the health care reform bill have on a patient’s current preferred network of doctors?

How will the health care reform bill affect the taxes of middle-class people in the next ten years?

After contemplating the changes taking place in the medical field, I am interested to learn more about physicians, health insurance, and the government, and what affect the health care reform plan has on each.  I am especially interested in this subject area because I plan to become a doctor.  I want to know how these modifications will affect me as well as my future career.  I find this topic interesting because even slight changes in the medical field could affect millions of people.  Understanding what role the government plays in health care interests me because certain aspects of health care such as salaries, insurance, and patient care could soon be in the hands of government officials. I believe that the future of healthcare is at stake, and all healthcare professionals, as well as citizens with and without health insurance, would be very interested in learning about the dramatic changes taking place. 

This semester I would be very interested to research information about the changes taking place in the medical field.  I know that some aspects of the medical field change quite frequently and these changes have the potential to affect the future of medical care.  With a new plan for nationwide free health care, all US citizens will be provided with health care regardless of their social standing.  However, the future for doctors, nurses, and other individuals employed in the medical field is uncertain.  How will a health care reform plan affect the salaries of health care professionals? Furthermore, what affect will reformed health care have on preexisting health insurance? Also, will citizens expect a significant raise in taxes to cover the cost?