Health Care Reform

Significant changes to health care access, financing, and the delivery of care occurred with the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in March 2010. The PPACA imposes new requirements on individuals, employers, and health plans; restructures the private health insurance market; sets minimum standards for health coverage; and provides financial assistance to certain individuals and, in some cases, small employers.

The new law expands access to Medicaid and Medicare and establishes State health exchanges to allow patients to compare plans and purchase their own private coverage.  The bill also establishes Accountable Care Organizations (ACO’s) which set up coordinated care mechanisms to manage primary and dialysis care. 

During the debate on health care reform,  AKF advocated for increased access to insurance plans and quality care for patients with kidney disease.  AKF is pleased that through the PPACA, kidney patients will have access to insurance options and care that will improve the quality of their lives.

Health Reform Major Provisions and Timeline
Impact on Patients with Kidney Disease