Opinions on Affordable Care Act

As we near the 2014 date set by the Affordable Care Act, it's interesting to know what medical students think of the changes. They will be the ones who have to carry the burden of increased patient loads and find a way to navigate the changed system. Last year, 1,232 medical students across the country were surveyed about the ACA. Here are some of those findings:

• 80.1% were in support of the Affordable Care Act
• 67.6% agreed ACA will expand access to care (6.5% disagreed)
• 53.9% understood ACA's major provisions (30.2% disagreed)
• 31.4% agreed PPACA will improve care quality (20.9% disagreed)
• 18.6% agreed ACA will contain costs (36% disagreed)

What do these findings show about medical students' reactions to the coming changes? Well, one area of concern is the lack of understanding of the ACA overall. Only half of those surveyed had an understanding of the major provisions, but far more were in support of it. How can this be? Wouldn't they need to understand what they're supporting? And if the basic understanding is not present, how can they believe that the act will expand access to care? It appears that medical students should take a closer look at the act and educate themselves about what changes will occur since they will be expected to work in the post-act system in a few years