The document discusses the Affordable Care Act and its potential impact on health disparities in communities of color. It outlines the law's goals of reforming health insurance, reducing costs, and expanding access. Key provisions that have already taken effect include dependent coverage until age 26 and prohibiting denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions. Starting in 2014, most individuals will be required to have health insurance and employers with 50+ employees must offer coverage. The law also aims to improve data collection, prevention efforts, workforce diversity, and Medicaid coverage. Next steps include advocating, educating, and ensuring representation in policy discussions going forward.

1. Health Care Reform and
Communities of Color:
What’s Next for Health Disparities
Melva Thompson-Robinson, DrPH
Executive Director, Center for Health Disparities Research
Associate Professor, School of Community Health Sciences
University of Nevada Las Vegas

2. • By the end of the session, members of the audience
will be able to:
1. discuss the highlights of Affordable Care Act
2. identify potential ways that the Affordable Care Act will
be able to address health disparities
Objectives for the
Presentation

3. What is today?
Friday, March 23, 2012

4. Happy 2 yr Anniversary!

5. • ACA=Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act
• Goals:
• Reform health insurance
• Reduce health care costs
• Guarantee more health care choices
• Phased in between 2010 and 2018
What is ACA?

6. • Health insurance coverage for dependents up to age 26
• Uninsured with pre-existing conditions can get insurance
through high-risk pool
• Limits on lifetime benefits for individuals eliminated
• Pre-existing conditions exclusions eliminated
Key Aspects in Place

7. • Individuals must obtain health insurance
• Employers with 50 or more employees must offer
coverage
• State health insurance exchanges must be established
• Pre-existing condition exclusions eliminated for adults
What’s to Come?

8. Why Does Monday,
March 26, 2012
Matter?

9. Review of Constitutionality

10. What Does ACA Mean
for Communities of
Color?

11. • Data Collection:
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Sex
• Primary language
• Disability status
Key Provisions in ACA

12. • Prevention Efforts
• Public Health Prevention Fund
• Community Transformation Grants
• School-based Clinics
• Nurse-Managed Health Clinis
Key Provisions in ACA

13. • Workforce Development
• National Health Care Workforce Commission
• Diversity of workforce
• Cultural and linguistic competency training
• Loan Repayment Programs
Key Provisions in ACA

14. • State optional Medicaid coverage for family planning
services
• Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation services for
pregnant women
Key Provisions in ACA

15. Where Do I Fit in
This?

16. • Advocate, Educate, Communicate Clearly
• Adapt, Adjust, Forge New Partnership
• ALL policy is HEALTH policy!
• Claim a seat at the table!
Next Steps

17. • http://www.healthcare.gov
• http://www.cuidadodesalud.gov/enes/
• My contact information:
• Melva Thompson-Robinson, DrPH
• Email: melva.thompson-robinson@unlv.edu
• Phone: 702-287-1847
Want to Know More?