The Affordable Care Act ― A National Experiment

This book examines the landmark 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) from the perspective of health policy research as translational science. It delineates a new perspective about the creation and potential impact of the ACA and guides the development of health policy that is supported by best evidence that, in turn, transforms into practice, policy, and public benefit. Told by those involved in the creation and implementation of the ACA, the book reviews the history and impact of this ground-breaking legislation and recommends priorities, objectives, and next steps for translational research as the ACA is implemented. The book includes coverage of these topics:· Objectives of the ACA· Analysis of data collected from healthcare reform programs in Vermont and Massachusetts to inform national implementation of the ACA · Engaging the public in, and building support for, ACA implementation · Interplay of federal, state, and local healthcare policy decisions arising from the enforcement of the ACA Featuring contributions from nationally renowned leaders in healthcare policy, this book adds to the public conversation about the ACA and its role in shaping health policy and contributes to a more realistic, nuanced, and productive understanding of this landmark legislation by physicians, policy makers, and the public. It also provides a framework for next steps in continuing to improve U.S. health policy.

Harry Selker, MD, MSPH, is Dean of Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute and Principal Investigator for the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) that supports it. He is Professor of Medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine and Executive Director for the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center, where he is also Chief of the Division of Clinical Care Research in the Department of Medicine and Director of its Center for Cardiovascular Health Services Research. Dr. Selker also has served on boards and as an officer for a variety of professional and educational organizations, including in 2011-2012 as President of the Society of General Internal Medicine.