Results of a comprehensive survey show widespread support for the U.S. Affordable Care Act (ACA) among physicians nationwide.
Fifty-five (55) percent of survey respondents say they agree or strongly agree that the controversial law passed in 2010 has “more good than bad” in it. The survey was conducted in spring 2015 by the American Association for Physician Leadership, a U.S.-based organization for physicians worldwide, and Navigant Center for Healthcare Research and Policy Analysis, an organization that focuses on trends, policies, and structural shifts in the health care market.
“Physicians … want what’s best for patients. So as they review the ACA, I think they resonate with how the good aspects of the bill can improve health care,” says Peter Angood, MD, FACS, FRCS(C), MCCM, president and CEO of the American Association for Physician Leadership.
As physician leaders come to understand the details of the ACA, they may see it as a less radical set of changes than they originally believed, says Paul Keckley, PhD, managing director at Navigant.
Among other findings, the survey shows:
- 69 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that physicians should be held accountable for costs of care in addition to quality of care.
- 57 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that accountable care organizations (ACOs) will be a permanent model for risk-sharing with payers in years ahead.
- 63 percent of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that “the elimination of FFS (fee-for-service) incentives in favor of value-based payments will hurt the quality of care provided patients.”
- 58 percent of respondents agree or strongly agree that transparency about physicians’ business dealings is a positive trend for the profession.
