President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, is likely to be one of the most visible issues on his and the GOP’s radar when he is inaugurated on January 20th.
Ron Peterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Baxter Regional Medical Center, says a repeal of the Affordable Care Act is appropriate because adjustments to the bill have been stagnant.
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Peterson is hopeful health care dialogue between President-elect Trump and congress will illustrate, what he says, are the deep cuts hospitals have endured through the Affordable Care Act including reimbursements from Medicare. He says its also important for state representatives and senators to diagnose the funding channels for Medicaid, known as the Arkansas Works program, if Obamacare is repealed.
Another challenge the hospital faces is an increased workload according to Peterson.
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Arguments have been made the Affordable Care Act has threatened the quality of care patients receive. Peterson says locally that’s not the case and providing quality care has not lost focus at Baxter Regional.
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According to a recent Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation study, Americans are equally divided in opinion regarding the Affordable Care Act with 45 percent showing a favorable and 45 percent showing an unfavorable view.
In part two of this series, coming up next week on KTLO, CLassic Hits and The Boot we’ll speak with local orthapaedic surgeon Dr. Tom Knox.
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