Reflecting on 2015, we can see how major events in healthcare shaped the industry for the next decade. From the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act to the rise of telemedicine, these key issues continue to influence the healthcare landscape today. Click here for article.
Key Issues in Healthcare in 2015:
Affordable Care Act Upheld: The Supreme Court's decision to uphold tax subsidies under the ACA prevented millions from losing coverage and kept premiums from increasing drastically.
Healthcare Consolidation: Hospital mergers increased, reshaping the healthcare market. While insurance company mergers faced regulatory setbacks, hospital consolidation continued to accelerate.
EHR Adoption: The shift to digital health records was at its peak, with 80% of hospitals adopting EHRs, which improved safety and care coordination but faced challenges with privacy and interoperability.
ICD-10 Implementation: The transition to ICD-10 expanded diagnosis and procedure codes, improving documentation and continuity of care, despite significant challenges during the switch.
Telemedicine Growth: The expansion of telemedicine services, supported by policy changes, allowed for greater access to care and has continued to grow, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Superbug Concerns: Antibiotic-resistant infections gained attention as a major health crisis, prompting the U.S. government to invest in combating superbugs, an ongoing challenge in healthcare.
Rise of Online Reviews: Consumer ratings and reviews became more commonplace, influencing patient choices and pushing healthcare systems to become more transparent and responsive.
Advanced Practice Providers (APPs): With a growing physician shortage, more states allowed APPs to practice at the top of their licenses, leading to a significant rise in their role in healthcare delivery.
Healthcare Costs: Despite increased insurance coverage, high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs made healthcare unaffordable for many, a trend that has worsened in the years since.
Pharmaceutical Price Hikes: Prescription drug costs soared, fueling public outrage and legislative action. The controversy surrounding drug pricing, exemplified by Martin Shkreli’s price hike, led to continued scrutiny and reform efforts.
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