162 Business View - August 2015
Health Facilities Association of Maryland
Healthcare future shaped by legislation, demographics, technology, shrinking resources
While healthcare has undergone tremendous changes
in the last few years, seismic demographic, care de-
livery, and technology changes are underway that will
shape its future. The most recent national change
was the passage of the Patient Protection and Afford-
able Care Act (ACA), (Obama Care), in 2010. However,
reform began in earnest over a decade ago when, in
2003, President Bush signed the Medicare Modern-
ization Act (MMA) which, for the first time, provided
prescription drug coverage for seniors and people with
disabilities covered by Medicare.
While the MMA and the ACA expanded coverage and
access to care, and encouraged healthcare integra-
tion, going forward, we will continue to see both feder-
al and state reforms that seek to reward quality care,
reduce cost, refine rating systems, and reinforce the
need for better-integrated care.
While Medicare’s financial solvency has actually im-
proved in recent years, now projected to be solvent
through 2030, there will continue to be both a finan-
cial and a quality-care urgency to modify Medicare and
lengthen its long-term financial viability.
HEALTHCARE
