Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and rural health clinic capacity in Iowa

Brad Wright; Peter C Damiano; Suzanne E Bentler

doi:10.1177/2150131914542613

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Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and rural health clinic capacity in Iowa

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and rural health clinic capacity in Iowa

Brad Wright, Peter C Damiano and Suzanne E Bentler

Journal of primary care & community health, Vol.6(1), pp.61-65

01/2015

DOI: 10.1177/2150131914542613

PMID: 25092474

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https://doi.org/10.1177/2150131914542613View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

To evaluate the capacity of rural health clinics (RHCs) in Iowa as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is implemented. We developed and fielded an online survey among the 142 RHCs in Iowa. The survey response rate was 19% and this exceeds the response rate of previously published RHC studies. Responding RHCs report struggling to provide dental care and mental health services, and indicate a high degree of recruiting difficulty for physicians (80%), physician assistants, and nurse practitioners (both 50%), with referrals to specialists being common. Nearly 60% of RHC respondents anticipate an increase in the size of their patient population because of the ACA, with 14.8% expecting a substantial increase. Respondents indicated a lack of preparedness for participating in a value-based health care delivery system. While nearly all RHC respondents (90.4%) report knowing what steps they need to take to respond to the challenges health reform may present, only 19% agree that they have the human, financial, and material resources necessary to respond to those challenges. RHCs have limited capacity to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the ACA, and need additional resources and incentives to thrive in a reformed health care delivery system.

Nurse Practitioners

United States

Rural Health

Mental Health Services

Physician Assistants

Physicians

Humans

Ambulatory Care Facilities - manpower

Rural Health Services - manpower

Dental Care

Health Care Reform - legislation & jurisprudence

Health Services Needs and Demand

Iowa

Personnel Selection

Delivery of Health Care

Health Personnel

Referral and Consultation

Health Resources

Health Care Surveys

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Details

Title: Subtitle: Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and rural health clinic capacity in Iowa
Creators: Brad Wright - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA brad-wright@uiowa.edu
Peter C Damiano - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Suzanne E Bentler - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of primary care & community health, Vol.6(1), pp.61-65
DOI: 10.1177/2150131914542613
PMID: 25092474
NLM abbreviation: J Prim Care Community Health
ISSN: 2150-1327
eISSN: 2150-1327
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 01/2015
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Health Management and Policy; College of Public Health; Public Policy Center (Archive); University College Courses
Record Identifier: 9983917683302771

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