🏛️From Teddy to Obama

What’s in for today:

• How 6 presidents approached healthcare reform

• AI causes concern for nurses

• Ransomware notifications and crackdown; Nothing good happens after 8 PM

LET’S TALK!

Healthcare and election

According to surveys, healthcare is the third-highest issue priority for voters, particularly the increasing cost of care.

 With the United States spending over $4.8 trillion on healthcare, it's evident that addressing healthcare costs is crucial. Notably, the estimated healthcare spending per person in the U.S. was approximately $14,423 in 2023, increasing to $15,075 in 2024. Additionally, issues like abortion, women’s health rights, and healthcare are deeply personal and important to many people.

The recent Supreme Court ruling to overturn the Chevron deference doctrine has significant implications for healthcare agencies like the CMS and HHS, potentially leading to challenges in enforcing regulations.

Here’s a quick history lesson on how six presidents approached healthcare reform:

1.  Theodore Roosevelt (Early Reformer)—During Roosevelt’s tenure, conversations about public health and welfare became part of the political conversation or were considered in a presidential platform. His ideas helped set the stage for future healthcare reforms.

2.  Franklin D. Roosevelt (Social Security Act) - During the Great Depression, FDR introduced the New Deal to help struggling Americans. In 1935, he created the Social Security Act, which provided financial help for the elderly and unemployed. This act laid the groundwork for Medicare and Medicaid, programs that would come later and provide health insurance for seniors and low-income families. He also saw the creation of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

3. Harry Truman (Pushing for Universal Healthcare) – After World War II, President Harry S. Truman aimed to establish a national health insurance program to ensure healthcare for all Americans. During his presidency, he signed the Mental Health Act into law. Despite facing strong opposition, his plan did not ultimately pass, but his efforts prompted serious consideration of universal healthcare.

4. Lyndon B. Johnson (Medicare and Medicaid) - President LBJ signed the Social Security Amendments in 1965, establishing Medicare and Medicaid. These programs remain vital to ensuring that patients receive necessary medical care regardless of their financial status or age.

5. Richard Nixon (Expanding Medicare) – In the past, President Nixon expanded Medicare to cover individuals with disabilities and those with severe kidney disease. He also endorsed Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), which prioritize preventive care and cost-effective healthcare delivery. These efforts aim to provide patients with better access to specialized care and focus on promoting wellness and preventing diseases.

6. Barack Obama (ACA) - President Barack Obama's administration passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 with the aim of making healthcare more affordable and accessible. The ACA introduced reforms, such as subsidies to help lower-income individuals afford health insurance. One of the most important aspects of the ACA is the protection it provides to patients against insurance companies denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. Today, patients rely on these protections and benefits to secure essential healthcare services without facing financial hardship.

Why should you care?

Significant and meaningful changes to the healthcare system take years, and sometimes even decades, to materialize. Each of these presidents played a role in shaping healthcare in America. Their efforts demonstrate the ongoing struggle to make healthcare better and more accessible for everyone - from Theodore Roosevelt's early ideas to Barack Obama's major reforms. These leaders have all contributed to the healthcare system we know today.

Understanding the history of healthcare reforms under these presidents is crucial for patients today. Each reform effort has aimed to improve healthcare access, affordability, and quality, directly impacting individuals and families across the nation. Ultimately, irrespective of the issues that get debated during the campaign, the outcome of the 2024 election - who controls the White House and Congress - will have significant implications for the future direction of healthcare, as is almost always the case.

TRACKING: AI IN HEALTHCARE

• AI has been touted as a game-changer in healthcare due to significant investments and advancements. However, a survey conducted by National Nurses United (NNU) found that AI technology often undermines nurses' clinical judgment, potentially endangering patient safety. The survey underscores the crucial need for stricter regulation and greater involvement of healthcare staff in the implementation of AI in medical settings. In response to these concerns, NNU has proposed a "Nurses' and Patients' Bill of Rights" to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI. Additionally, they have been actively protesting the healthcare industry's rush to adopt AI without sufficient staffing and input from nurses. (Read more here).

POLICY & INDUSTRY NEWS

🩺Change Healthcare has begun informing people affected by the ransomware attack that occurred on February 21, 2024. This attack comprised protected health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information. Notices are being sent out gradually because of the large amount of data and its complexity.

🏥Crackdown on attacks: A federal grand jury indicted North Korean national Rim Jong Hyok for leading ransomware attacks against U.S. hospitals in 2022, allegedly working under North Korea’s military intelligence agency. The attacks targeted 17 entities across 11 states, significantly disrupting healthcare services. The indictment aims to curb North Korea’s ability to fund further cyberattacks by imposing sanctions, with the U.S. government offering a reward for information on the hacker and others targeting critical infrastructure.

🥼 A report by the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare revealed that 49% of the 136 million ED visits in 2021 happened outside standard business hours (5 PM to 8 AM), highlighting the important role of around-the-clock ED availability. 65% of these after-hours visits took place after 8 PM, encompassing a significant portion of injury, trauma, overdose, and poisoning cases.