KAThLeen
SebeLiuS
is u.s. secretary
of Health and
Human services.
she served as
the governor
of Kansas from
2003 to 2009.
lining will reduce premiums in the
exchanges by an estimated 7 to 10
percent, compared with a comparable plan in the current individual insurance market.
MuhaMMed Muheisen/aP
The new law also encourages hospitals and providers to find new ways
to provide higher quality care and
avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions. Through Accountable Care Organizations that take responsibility
for the cost and quality of the care
received by patients, national pilot
programs that bundle payments for
the full course of a patient’s care and
other innovative initiatives, the Affordable Care Act will help improve
quality and reduce cost for patients.
For years, our health care system has
really been a “sick care system.” But
through new incentives and manda-
tory coverage of proven preventive ser-
vices for new plans, the new law will
help patients get the care they need
early, avoiding costly, unnecessary
care later. This prevention-focused ap-
proach is better for doctors, patients
and our national balance sheet.
Streamlining of
administrative
costs is expected
to generate
significant
savings.
