Accountable care organizations and other programs help doctors and other healthcare providers work together to deliver better care. This overview of the healthcare law was proposed on?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The question asks for the year the healthcare law that established Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) was proposed.
This law is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was signed into law in March 2010.
The ACA created the framework for ACOs to encourage healthcare providers to become accountable for the quality and cost of care for a defined population of patients.
Therefore, 2010 is the correct year.

Option B: While significant rulemaking and development for ACOs occurred in 2011, the foundational law was passed in the previous year.
Option C: The first groups of ACOs began operating and participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program in 2012, but this was an implementation step, not the year the law was proposed.
Option D: By 2013, the ACO program was already established and expanding. This year is well after the initial legislation was passed.

Visual 1: Timeline Infographic - A visual timeline showing the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and the subsequent launch and development of Accountable Care Organizations in the following years.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing US Healthcare Legislation and Policy helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding healthcare policies like the ACA and models like ACOs is crucial for nurses as it directly impacts care coordination, reimbursement, and the quality improvement initiatives they participate in.
Nurses are key players within ACOs, often serving as care coordinators, patient educators, and advocates to ensure seamless and high-quality care across different settings.
What if? If the question had asked when the first ACOs began participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, the answer would be 2012, not 2010. It's important to distinguish between the passage of the law and its implementation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: "Accountable care organizations" and "healthcare law."
Recognize that ACOs are a specific model of healthcare delivery introduced by a major piece of legislation.
Connect the concept of ACOs to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as "Obamacare."
Recall or deduce the year this landmark legislation was enacted.
Scan the options and select the year that corresponds to the passage of the ACA.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.