Health Care Reform and the Road Ahead for Gastroenterology

The Supreme Court has weighed in on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Few people predicted that the individual mandate to purchase insurance would be upheld because of Congressional authority to levy a tax. Fewer still predicted the ruling on Medicaid expansion. In this month's "Practice Management: The Road Ahead" segment, 4 of us have tried to outline (within editorial word limits) the potential implications of the Supreme Court ruling. Although we await election results, make no mistake-the ACA will move forward, and it will have profound implications for gastroenterology. Our training programs and safety net hospitals will suffer (see Taylor IL and Clinchy RM. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2012;10:828-830), colorectal cancer screening paradigms may change as accountable care organizations develop, and each practice will be challenged to understand their State's reaction to Medicaid expansion. The American Gastroenterological Association will continue to monitor the national landscape, educate you about The Road Ahead, and advocate for our members and patients.