Forum Spotlight

Many experts agree that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), P.L.111-148, is the most complex piece of health care legislation enacted in the past 45 years. Its provisions touch on virtually every aspect of health and health care, from public programs, such as Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare, to private health insurance, the health care workforce, public health activities, and more. Implementation of the law will involve not only federal departments and agencies but also states, local communities, and providers. Unlike most laws of this magnitude, however, PPACA did not go through a normal conference and no conference report is available to shed light on legislative intent.

As we move from enactment to implementation, many questions about the law remain. The Forum’s ongoing Focus on Reform series is designed to help congressional and federal staff become familiar with the law’s provisions and possible implementation challenges. To date, sessions have focused on Medicaid expansions, private health insurance provisions, long-term services and supports and the CLASS Act, public health provisions, safety net-related provisions, and regulatory processes.

Speaker slides and related materials are posted to a special Health Reform section of our Health Policy Essentials page. They’re also available under the entry for each meeting.

Check it out. And look for more Focus on Reform programming in the fall.