“Unintended Consequences: Examining Healthcare’s Disproportionate Impact

In recent years, healthcare has been a hot-button issue, with healthcare providers, policy makers, and the general public arguing for greater access to treatments and more efficient care. Unfortunately, many of these efforts have unintended consequences, making it increasingly difficult to deliver quality care and provide adequate health services. This article will discuss the various unintended consequences that have arisen from healthcare reforms, and why it is important for the sector to receive close scrutiny. The first unintended consequence highlighted is rising costs. Healthcare costs increase with each new policy or program that is introduced. For example, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, an increase in insurance costs was seen due to the requirement for people to obtain coverage and pay higher premiums for certain types of coverage. This increased cost can be offset by other aspects of the act, such as subsidies andtax credits, but the expense load is still placed on consumers. The second consequence flagged is increased complexity. As different systems are introduced, algorithms and processes must be designed to enable data sharing and tracking of patient information. For providers, this means spending more time and resources on paperwork and administrative tasks, reducing the amount of time and resources for patient care. This increases the risk of medical errors and makes it difficult for providers to provide quality care. The third unintended consequence is decreased patient satisfaction. As regulations become stricter and paperwork becomes more complex, the time spent with a patient may dwindle. This can leave patients feeling neglected, making them less likely to return for follow-up visits. Furthermore, with the crunch of paperwork, primary care physicians may be less likely to refer patients to specialists for follow-on care, resulting in patients not receiving the care they need. Finally, the increased bureaucracy of healthcare has resulted in a decrease in innovation. Regulations, paperwork, and payment models can all hinder the ability of providers to innovate and use new technologies and treatments. This, in turn, can limit patient access to newer treatments and therapies, resulting in poorer health outcomes. Given the increasing number of unintended consequences of healthcare reform, it is critical that the sector receives close scrutiny. It is not enough to simply pass policies without understanding their effects, and policy makers must address the unintended consequences that arise. Furthermore, developing systems that are transparent and accountable may help to reduce the amount of complexity and bureaucracy that has arisen in the healthcare sector. Doing so will ensure that providers are able to continue providing quality care and that patients have access to the treatments they need.