Achieving Health Equity via the Affordable Care Act

This report examines how the Affordable Care Act can help reduce health disparities through various provisions and initiatives aimed at promoting health equity.

Since its inception by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2007, the Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities has been a vital platform for addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health and healthcare. This group has focused on creating dialogues that explore the development of programs and strategies aimed at reducing these disparities, while also nurturing new leadership dedicated to the cause of health equity. A significant focus of discussion has been the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which contains various provisions that address the needs of diverse racial and ethnic populations.

In April 2013, the roundtable organized a workshop to delve into critical issues related to the ACA, including coverage expansion, delivery systems, access points, service delivery and payment reform, public-private partnerships, and the challenges faced by the safety net. This workshop served as a platform to gather insights from experts and stakeholders on how the ACA could potentially bridge gaps in health equity. The findings and discussions from this workshop are compiled in the report, providing a comprehensive overview of the topics addressed.

Achieving Health Equity via the Affordable Care Act offers an in-depth look at the potential of the ACA to mitigate health disparities. It covers essential themes such as the Patient-Centered Medical Home model, consumer engagement, and the role of the safety net in promoting health equity. The report not only highlights the challenges but also emphasizes the opportunities presented by the ACA in fostering a more equitable healthcare landscape.