“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)” was endorsed as law by President Obama in 2010 and is widely regarded as one of the most progressive and widespread pieces of healthcare legislation in the United States. The legislation had several aims, the most important of which were to improve healthcare in the United States by increasing its quality and decreasing its cost. In principle, the law was created to ensure that all citizens of the United States have easy access to affordable healthcare. The number of uninsured citizens was also expected to drop dramatically due to the ACA. Thus, this article reviews the “Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care 2018 Data Update”.
“The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care 2018 Data Update” highlights several noteworthy changes to the state of New Jersey’s healthcare system (Bronner et al., 2022). The data shows that the state spends less money per resident than the national average. In addition, the numbers show that the state has a higher-than-average rate of hospital admissions and ER visits per population. In terms of healthcare expenditures, the state of New Jersey ranks first in the country, as reported by the Dartmouth Atlas.
“The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care: 2018 Data Update” shows that use and expense trends across New Jersey are inconsistent. More individuals using hospitals and emergency rooms, yet spending less overall per person, could indicate a well-functioning healthcare system in the state. The higher healthcare spending per person may, however, indicate that the healthcare system in New Jersey is failing or that residents are receiving excessive medical attention (Bronner et al., 2022).
Information on usage and expenditure patterns can enhance the standing of New Jersey’s healthcare system. Lower per capita spending and higher hospital admissions and emergency department visits indicate cheaper health care in New Jersey. Compared to other states, New Jersey’s higher healthcare expenditures per capita indicate that its residents enjoy superior medical care. Additionally, it may encourage medical professionals to set up healthcare setups in the state.
Another indication that people in New Jersey require services is the state’s lower rate of primary care visits and greater rate of speciality care visits (Pearlman,2013). The state can use this data to determine where to focus its healthcare spending. It can also be used as a springboard for discussions regarding increasing the number of primary care physicians in the state and funding for primary care residency programs.
The utilization data can be used to make informed decisions about the state’s healthcare budget. Using this information, healthcare authorities, for instance, can zero in on the high-priced services that are a major factor in rising healthcare costs and institute reforms to reduce these expenses (Bronner et al., 2022). The information can also pinpoint areas with reduced healthcare expenses as a benchmark to implement further cost-cutting measures. Moreover, this information can be utilized to prioritize funding for healthcare facilities in areas with the greatest need. Policymakers can use this information to guarantee adequate and affordable healthcare for all people of New Jersey (Pearlman,2013).
“The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care 2018 Data Update” reveals a range of results for New Jersey’s healthcare system, both positive and negative. More per capita spending may indicate inefficiency or overuse when comparing healthcare systems. In contrast, lower spending per person and higher hospital admissions and emergency room visits may indicate an effective healthcare system (Pearlman,2013). By capitalizing on these tendencies, New Jersey may improve its healthcare profile by highlighting the state’s access to low-cost, high-quality care. The state may prioritize lowering inpatient and outpatient hospitalization rates to improve treatment outcomes while cutting costs. Public health and preventative care programs can receive more funding to achieve the same goals of better health and lower healthcare expenditures.
References
Bronner, K., Eliassen, S., & Skinner, J. (2022). The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care: 2018 Data Update.
Pearlman, S. A. (2013). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Impact on mental health services demand and provider availability. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 19(6), 327-334.
