How does increased access to healthcare affect nursing?

[Katie71275]

Yes it's homework(for my RN to BSN). I have some ideas of course, but I'd like to make sure I'm not missing any thing. I have to write a 5-7page paper on this using nursing journals and having a hard time finding information, so hoping with some more disctinct ideas, I can narrow it down some.

(and it doesn't have to be directly related to ACA either)

My ideas are that increased access will lead to more patients, therefore increased need for staffing. There may be increased nurse to patient ratio due to increased patients(esp if hospitals do what they usually do and keep units understaffed to save money).

Resources may be scarcer as there are now more patients to serve.

Increased opportunity for nurses to go to advanced practice(more nurse managed clinics).

I'm sure there are others...is there something else I am missing?

[SubSippi]

My dad has a genetic condition that causes his blood to clot super easily, and has had two PEs. Before the ACA, he was "uninsurable," because of his preexisting condition.

And due to some fairly recent unexpected declines in his health, were it not for the ACA, he would currently be (unnecessarily) dying a slow, painful death. Thank goodness he was able to get insurance.

Everybody whining about the ACA can bite me.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

To answer the OP's question

Honestly - how many American citizens are out there who need medical care that are not able to get it and are truly going without? What about EMTALA laws? Granted, very inefficient but I've not ever seen anyone turned away for a true emergency. Yes, there is a lot of abuse of it. And those who "can" pay get to pay for every one who doesn't.

But my point being- are hospital admit rates going to change that much? I've read several posts from nurses saying census is down in hospitals - although difficult to say exactly why that is.

If people have better access to primary care that probably will decrease the need for hospitalization - and increase the demand for FNP's, PA's, MDs.

I think it is to soon to know how exactly it will all go down. I am personally not convinced it is going to increase the need for "floor nurses."

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Perhapas you should watch out for that propaganda you accuse me of being a victim to, perhaps your the victim! Just saying. Oh, and when you have time, follow these links, id love to see you cite some sources of how amazing obamacare is for this country. Actually no, i challange you to. But you wont will you? You will just call names and accuse me of being a propoganda fed drone, wont you? Follow these links and refute them with your own sources:

Middle Class Gets Screwed Under Obamacare

L.A. Times: ObamaCare Hits Middle Class With 30% Premium Spike

Obamacare Will Increase Health Spending By $7,450 For A Typical Family of Four [updated] - Forbes

I could keep going.

Interesting since you did cite 3 of the largest right wing propaganda machines how could I not see the "propaganda fed drone" analogy??? We need more Christopher Hitchens out there these days it is quite simple...."That which cannot be proven by fact can be repudiated without fact..."

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

If someone has no insurance his care, when he inevitably needs it, is paid for by taxpayer dollars anyway. So I fail to see the advantage to forbidding people below 400% of the federal poverty level to have subsidized health insurance that has been demonstrated to improve overall health and decrease costs by facilitating preventive care. We're gonna pay for it anyway, we are paying for it anyway, the costs are higher, and the outcomes are worse.

[malenurse69, MSN, NP]

If someone has no insurance his care when he inevitably needs it, is paid for by taxpayer dollars anyway. So I fail to see the advantage to forbidding people below 400% of the federal poverty level to have subsidized health insurance that has been demonstrated to improve overall health and decrease costs by facilitating preventive care. We're gonna pay for it anyway, we are paying for it anyway, the costs are higher, and the outcomes are worse. [/quote']

Well said GrnTea

[malenurse69, MSN, NP]

Interesting since you did cite 3 of the largest right wing propaganda machines how could I not see the "propaganda fed drone" analogy??? We need more Christopher Hitchens out there these days it is quite simple...."That which cannot be proven by fact can be repudiated without fact..."

I still dont see any cited sources your just trolling in the wind. Cite some sources as to how amazing obamacare is. Please im still waiting. So far all your proving is your koolaid drinking ability.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

I still dont see any cited sources your just trolling in the wind. Cite some sources as to how amazing obamacare is. Please im still waiting. So far all your proving is your koolaid drinking ability.

My only response must be that I never established any premise concerning the ACA??? I do love to fish however- could this be the "trolling" you speak of?

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Well said GrnTea

Even more interesting- By agreeing with this post you seem to go against your own ideals???