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To add to what the ladies have said, I found this article explaining the implications of ACA on occupational therapists. Although the article specifically refers to services to Medicare recipients, I feel that it is vital that we as future therapists stay in the know of the old and new laws that could affect our area of practice.

I also found this article that linked ACA with the improvement in chronic disease management.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/hsop-alw090315.php
A point that really stood out to me by Professor Joshua Saolmon, is that with the growing laws being passed for improving healthcare for all people, "there is urgent need to ensure that the U.S. health care system is equipped to provide high quality care for large numbers of people who will be newly diagnosed with a chronic disease."

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Implications of the Affordable Care Act for Occupational Therapy Practicitioners

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I found an article describing facts legislature should be informed of in regards to chronic diseases, and I was shocked to learn how common these conditions are in the US. The statistics, included in the article published by the National Conference of State Legislatures, are very impactful. The article provides statistics about chronic disease being the leading cause of death in the US, effecting every 7 in 10 Americans. It is estimated that 51% of Americans are currently living with a disease (such as diabetes, cancer or arthritis), and that 75% of the nation’s healthcare spending is invested in the treatment of the chronic diseases. It also states that by the year 2020 it is predicted that 157 billion US dollars will be spent managing these chronic diseases. It seems as if earlier treatment of the disease would help reduce the length and severity of the conditions, therefore decreasing money spent treatment.

Occupational therapists definitely seem as if they can eliminate the severity of this epidemic, because despite the impact chronic diseases have already left, they are also the most preventable causes of death. The affordable care act could include actions that bring wellness awareness to schools, healthcare and community based settings. This could include promoting healthier changes in cafeteria food and implementing smoke free city regulations. I also in this article data that supports the need for OTs to be advocates for their clients. There are racial and geographic discrepancies in regards to the prevalence of these diseases, and it seems that the affordable care act could help eliminate some inequities by lower healthcare costs, spread of education on ways to prevent detrimental habits or conditions, and ability to treat many more patients.
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Comlossy, M. (2013). Chronic disease prevention and management. Healthcare Safety-net Toolkit for Legislatures. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/documents/health/ChronicDTK13.pdf.

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Many aspects of the ACA are relevant to individuals with chronic diseases. The ACA included behavioral health treatments as a required category for the essential benefits package. These types of treatments include substance abuse disorder services and mental health services. Occupational therapists can play an intricate role in these types of treatment plans. Other pertinent and significant regulations for chronic illnesses include: 1) No denials for pre-existing conditions and 2) No higher premiums on the basis of health status and gender.

Montgomery, S. Affordable Care Act and OT [pdf document]. Retrieved from

https://class.usa.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2964823-dt-content-rid-10849939_1/courses/USA1.201720.OCT.5100.300/USA1.201720.OCT.5100.300_ImportedContent_20161130031659/Flex%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20and%20OT%20Powerpoint.pdf

Health Care Reform Implementation: What Are We Doing to Protect Your Future [PowerPoint

slides]. Retrieved from https://class.usa.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_106305_1&content_id=_2964709_1&mode=reset

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Jasmine, I like how you mentioned that it is important that individuals with chronic diseases feel empowered because in these circumstances it is up to the patient more than the health professionals to stay healthy and well. California Healthcare Foundation (2008) stated that 90% of the health management of chronic illnesses comes from the person who has the disease; that means that we can only truly manage 10% of these individual’s overall health! Occupational therapists are responsible for educating patients and promoting healthy living and self-management skills. For example, occupational therapists provide educate/reinforcement of tasks such as medication management, healthy diet, energy conservation, and monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose, and weight.

Health Care Reform Implementation: What Are We Doing to Protect Your Future [PowerPoint

slides]. Retrieved from https://class.usa.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_106305_1&content_id=_2964709_1&mode=reset

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The ACA's goal is to enhance focus on primary care and the utilization of health professionals to achieve improvements in patient experience, health of populations, and reduction in the costs of health care. OT, being a client-centered occupation, helps patients manage their chronic diseases in a way that fits with existing routines and patterns so changes feel less disruptive and are more likely to be consistently integrated into daily routine. This approach is accomplished through empowering patients and supporting the challenges of managing the disease, while also engaging in meaningful activity. OT's analyze the demands of these meaningful activities and evaluate the fit between patients abilities and challenges imposed by those activities and the environment.  OT's make recommendations on how to conserve energy, reduce or prevent pain, simplify the activities, and improve the safety and ease of functioning in a given environment. There is evidence that supports OT interventions that may be used in primary care settings that are in line with the goals of the ACA (AOTA, 2014).