A question about the ACA.

[Butterbean]

Pardon my ignorance on the matter, I really haven't had the time or inclination to research this beast of a bill, and find it somewhat daunting to even begin.

I am a nurse at a community hospital, and am just wondering how this bill (if at all) will affect my job? I already have to put in diagnostic codes when the patient is admitted, enter the charges for all the procedures the patient has during her stay, and my hospital recently went through the very painful process of a CMS audit. From what I can gather it doesn't appear this bill will affect my job at all, is this correct?

Thank you in advance for indulging my stupid question.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. If you are in one of the 19 states that may not join the exchanges

and expand medicaid, your hospital might find itself having to take care of patients who are still uninsured, and no federal block grants.

In that case, according to a few experts I talked to today, your hospital, and many others will put pressure on your governor.

Otherwise, by 2014, you will see a lot less patients come in who hold no insurance, so walletocomies may become a things of the past.

[Butterbean]

2. Thank you.

Which are the 19 states that may not join? I'm in NC. Could this theoretically mean my hospital will be under LESS financial strain?

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Since I am in california... let me check

http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/apexchange/2012/06/28/nc--health-care-ruling-nc.html

Time to put pressure on your governor.

[Butterbean]

4. Sigh. Oh boy. My hospital can't afford NOT TO

get more federal funding. I mean, we're not on the verge of going under or anything, but damn. My nurse manager and hospital administration already breathe down our necks about every single penny (seriously, I get at least 3 emails a week about financial stuff at work), I don't think I can stand much more. Holy crap.

Well thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

I think this bill is a good thing. I really, truly do. Nothing is perfect, but as a special needs mom, I know too many families who end up getting nailed with the pre-existing condition stuff. I also worry about my own special needs child, and what will happen to him when he's an adult and needs health insurance. It's a scary prospect, but this makes it a little less scary.