Affordable Care Act Impact on Community Health Center Staffing and Enrollment: A Cross-Sectional Study. Issue 4 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Sophie C.; Frogner, Bianca K.; Saganic, Laura M.; Cole, Allison M.; Rosenblatt, Roger
• Is Part Of: Journal of ambulatory care management. Volume 39:Issue 4(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Affordable Care Act -- community health centers -- health workforce -- physician shortage area -- safety net clinics; Ambulatory medical care -- Administration -- Periodicals; Ambulatory medical care -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Health planning -- Periodicals; Health planning -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-9917

Abstract

Abstract : Over 500 000 Washingtonians gained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As more patients gain insurance, community health centers (CHCs) expect to see an increase in demand for their services. This article studies the CHCs in Washington State to examine how the increase in patients has been impacting their workload and staffing. We found a reported mean increase of 11.7% and 5.4% in new Medicaid and Exchange patients, respectively. Half of the CHCs experienced large or dramatic workload impact from the ACA. Our findings suggest that CHCs need further workforce support to meet the expanding patient demand.