Published by: Celinda Lake on 7/7/2011 3:55:53 PM
In this time of economic uncertainty, NAPH’s mission—already so valuable—becomes more intensely so. More and more Americans are counting on public health services when they can’t afford care, or don’t have insurance. The public health advocates fighting for quality, accessible health care for all Americans are not only fighting the logistical and policy battles, but communications ones as well.
These are challenging times, but with opportunities. On the one hand, voters have switched and no longer support seeing their taxes go up to support health care for the uninsured. On the other hand, support for Medicaid is at a record high—with increasing numbers of people aware it provides critical health care for seniors and children.
As I discussed in my presentation at the 2011 NAPH Annual Conference, Americans are split on how they feel about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with many still intensely negative towards the health reform law. However, many who support it actually want more substantial change, rather than less. A narrow majority aren’t sure how they will be personally affected by the ACA, and most people believe at least one false statement about the law. The good news is that most Americans don’t want to cut off funding for the ACA, and solid majorities like all but one component of the ACA (the mandate), once they learn more about them.
Beyond insurance-related reforms in the ACA, Americans are even less informed about key system changes that are being implemented, including ACOs, bundle payments, or the medical home model of care. The language is confusing, however once these system changes are explained, Americans favor increased care coordination, use of electronic medical records, and better chronic disease management efforts.
The public is on our side; they just don’t always know it.
The 2011 NAPH Annual Conference showed the amazing commitment of safety net hospitals and health systems in being on the frontlines of health care delivery, especially in this recession. The Annual Conference was a wonderful opportunity to meet with people who are committed to making ACA work. I was reminded again of the remarkable leadership of NAPH in leading the fight for health justice (I also wish I had that wine list!). Lately, public hospitals have been caught between budget cuts and increasing demands of service. This is a tough time for public health advocates, but it is also a critical time when so many Americans require health services. Thank you for all that you do.
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Celinda Lake | President | Lake Research Partners
www.lakeresearch.com | Twitter: @CelindaLake | Facebook: www.facebook.com/celinda.lake