Many vulnerable populations endure severe and pervasive disparities in health status and outcomes and face barriers to obtaining quality health care and public health services. In March 2010, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub.L. 111-152). Together these two pieces of legislation form the health reform law, which recognizes the impact of disparities in health status, health insurance coverage, treatment, and health services among vulnerable populations in the United States.
As we approach the fourth anniversary of the landmark health reform law, it is important to understand the process of passing this historic law and the implications of this law moving forward. The presentation will discuss the progress that has been made in advancing health care access for vulnerable populations and provide insight into the advocacy that was involved during health reform negotiations. It will also discuss the applicable provisions of the law that will have the greatest impact on achieving health equity, the legal, political, and budgetary challenges to implementing these provisions, and opportunities that can be leveraged to ensure appropriate implementation of the law in each community.
Daniel E. Dawes, Esq. a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a healthcare attorney and the Executive Director of government relations, health policy and external affairs at Morehouse School of Medicine. In addition to his executive role, Daniel is a lecturer of health law and policy at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine.