November 13, 2014 – ACA and System Entry

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Anchor lead: New enrollees into the healthcare system are experiencing a range of tests, Elizabeth Tracey reports

The political tussling over the Affordable Care Act is still underway, but Patricia Davidson, dean of the School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins, applauds the fact that the data shows that new enrollees are undertaking a wide range of screening and follow up tests.

Davidson: What has happened with the affordable care act, with the enrollment of patients feeling this comfort actually accessing the healthcare system, if you see say a woman my age, 59, who has not seen a doctor in 20 years, there’s a lot of testing that needs to be done, have you had a mammogram, have you had a Pap smear, what’s your cholesterol?  Still, in spite of that initial cost, it’s better to be screening and addressing these healthcare issues and preventing.   :29

Davidson notes that the barrage of screening is aimed at detecting potential or existing problems as early as possible so interventions will be more effective, and she encourages all new enrollees to come forward.  At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.