The Affordable Care Act and Social Work

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; see http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/ index.html) -- due to be fully implemented in 2014 -- has been the subject of much discussion, including the implications for social workers, yet there remain many questions and vague suppositions. It is widely assumed that ACA will give social workers an expanded role in health care, although the details that will fully articulate that role are not entirely clear (Reardon, 2011). Part of the problem is the uncertainty of ACA's overall effects on the general population. The changes the law brings about, both those that are known and those that still require greater clarification, have given the social work profession reason to experience cautious optimism. The reason for this optimism begins with the number of Americans who currently have no health insurance and will soon be covered. The Congressional Budget Office (http:// www.cbo.gov) estimates that 32 million people will be eligible for health insurance through the states' insurance exchanges and expanded Medicaid programs. This number could become even larger depending on future immigration reforms that may allow access to the health care system for people who are currently undocumented. These increases will open doors to more demand for all types of services. Two of the most likely services to experience further demand are mental health and addiction reduction -- areas where social workers have an opportunity to provide needed behavioral health services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USHHS ], 2012). There will also be additional funding available to community health and mental health clinics and prevention services. The older population, people with disabilities, and people with mental health issues will benefit from a wider variety of services, as well as other groups that have been specifically named for increased attention. We can also expect to see an emphasis on collecting outcome measures through clinical research projects. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]