House, J. S. (2015). Beyond Obamacare: life, death, and social policy . Russell Sage Foundation.
Obamacare dramatically improved health care coverage and access. As a result, social workers began taking over new roles as care coordinators and care providers while working in communities, hospitals, and homes (House, 2015). The ACA focuses on community-based treatment and preventive care. Therefore, social workers were offered a chance to bridge the gap between mental and physical health by taking the responsibility of a ‘care coordinator' and acting as an intermediary between physicians and patients. However, the role of social workers in health care is being threatened by the plans to repeal the ACA. Some of the services offered by social workers in health care include:
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Assistance with application for financial aid, transportation, and legal issues
Community resource planning
Counselling for a lifestyle change and emotional adjustments
Connecting patients with physicians and other healthcare specialists
Crisis intervention
Community resource coordination
Community awareness regarding chronic conditions
Advance directives
Repealing the ACA may negatively affect consumer protections and providers that most citizens have enjoyed recently and have expected from the country’s health care system (House, 2015). Furthermore, it may have adverse economic repercussions and personal experiences if the proposed changes are passed, about thirty million people may lose health insurance coverage due to the proposed changes regarding Medicaid expansion, tax credits, and individual mandate (House, 2015). Health care professionals and social workers in various settings including community health centers, hospitals, and community-based programs may see funding for multiple programs that had been strengthened under the ACA, experience elimination or cuts. Ultimately, people risk losing connection and access to essential social work services and healthcare. Moreover, the changes disproportionately mainly affect vulnerable and low-income populations (House, 2015). Healthcare social workers have dedicated their profession to improving the health and wellbeing of the community. Therefore, the Congress should consider the issues rose to ensure no family loses access to health insurance coverage and health services because of changes in healthcare laws.
