Question

Explain the potential or documented influence of the ACA on medical social work practice

Answer 1

ACA act provides for compulsory health coverage for all Americans . It also forces insurer to include all citizen irrespective of medial health condition. It also focuses on role of social work who can now act as health coordinator between the patient and physician.

Social worker are those who work with patient to create a plan that addresses the physical , mental and social needs. ACA have focused preventive care and community based treatment that provides social worker a golden opportunity to bridge the gap between mental and physical health.

Though importance of preventive and communities based care by social worker is already recognised , ACA provide an opportunity by recognising social worker or community based intervention as an important tool that supplement medical field.

They can now take job of

Community resource planning and suggesting policymakers on critical issue of community based intervention.

They can now help in connecting patient with specialist physician. They can promote emotional intervention apart from treating the symptoms. Most important factor is that now after medical treatment , social worker can be used to promote better lifestyle conducive to early recovery.