Mississippi medical professionals see pros and cons of Affordable Care Act. They say changes are needed, but repealing the healthcare program is unlikely.
Harold Ingram is the CEO of Performax, a management and billing services company for independent medical providers in Mississippi. He says the Affordable Care Act is a good concept, but it's massive in scope and not sustainable. He says there's a lot of reporting requirements, some companies aren't in a position to meet yet. Ingram says deductibles have increased by about 60 percent and that's impacting patients.
"We have a tremendous problem with high deductibles, with insurance companies dropping out of the exchange programs and things like that because of difficulties within the ACA. There's no way that you can just repeal the ACA and say that's it," said Ingram.
Ingram says the Affordable Care Act has set in motion a move from a fee for service model to preventive care. He says that's the direction healthcare is going nationwide. Dr. William Truly is Director of the Emergency Room at Claiborne County Medical Center. He says there's a lot of political rhetoric surrounding the Affordable Care Act. He agrees the rising costs of premiums is a problem, but Dr. Truly says it can be fixed.
"What they don't talk about is the good part. You have to remember now that the Affordable Care Act is a template that was first developed by the Republicans. It was quite successful in Massachusetts," said Dr. Truly.
Dr. Truly thinks the Affordable Care Act won't be repealed but modified. He favors Medicaid expansion, which Mississippi hasn't done. Dr. Truly says hospitals will recover the cost of some indigent care, it will generate jobs and help the state's economy. About 60,000 Mississippians are enrolled for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
