Online Tool Spells Out Impact of Health Care Reform Law

A lot of family physicians and their patients are confused about what is in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and how the law will affect them. In response, the Health Care and You Coalition, of which the AAFP is a founding member, has launched a website to help physicians and patients understand the impact of the health care reform law.

Although the HealthCareandYou.org website is aimed primarily at consumers, physicians can use it to help their patients make the right health care decisions for themselves and their families, according to AAFP President Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., of Waco, Texas. "Our patients often look to (us) for more than just a diagnosis and a prescription. By teaming up with our colleagues in the coalition, we offer a valuable resource that doctors can share with patients," said Goertz.

The site provides tailored information for users. For example, it explains provisions of the Affordable Care Act currently in place and provisions scheduled to take effect in the future. The site also describes nearly every facet of the health care reform measure and provides information on how the law handles medical treatments, disease prevention and coverage for pre-existing conditions. In addition, the site contains a state-by-state listing of health care coverage options available now and in the future and describes the extent of coverage in individual states.

The Health Care and You Coalition, which includes the AAFP, the AMA, the American College of Physicians, the American Nurses Association, the National Community Pharmacists Association and AARP, introduced the website during a March 1 press event. The coalition noted it will continue to work to educate Americans about the health care law through ongoing activities, including state-level outreach and presentations at member events.