The most important takeaway from the ACA reform debate

Uncertainty is the name of the game for healthcare providers in the senior care space in light of the proposal to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA) falling though — for now.

But amid this political turmoil, one thing remains clear: Healthcare reform or no, the senior living and care industry’s efforts should remain focused on innovation and providing quality, cost-effective service that’s sustainable for the future.

2 Sides to the ACA healthcare reform debate…

Viewing the ACA healthcare reform from a provider perspective, we have two sides to this debate:

• Proponents of the American Heath Care Act or similar reform felt healthcare costs are growing under the ACA. Changes must be made to slow the growth of spending, by removing both the number of people and the types of services rendered in the more than $535 billion Medicaid program.
• Opponents of the reform believed that the administration’s proposal could defund the Medicaid program altogether. This would put millions of low-income seniors at risk and deal a stiff blow to the long-term care industry, where Medicaid payments are a staple for survival.

…But only one way to come out ahead

Changes to our nation’s healthcare system aren’t completely off the table. But long-term care providers can breathe a sigh of relief since current Medicaid funding is protected in the short run.

In the long run, whether we move forward with the ACA, augment its policies, or replace it with something different, the pressure on senior living providers to be more efficient in the cost of care will not change.

All provider types must commit to controlling costs while continuing to deliver a healthcare experience customers want. That’s the only way to weather the political debate and sustain the long-term survival of your organization.