Technology Answering Calls to Universal Health Care Limbo

Healthcare Uncertainties Forcing Millennials to Seek Out Unconventional Methods to Meet Medical Needs.
Currently, health care in America is in a state of limbo as Republicans take aim at repealing and replacing President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. In May, the GOP majority voted in a 217–213 vote to dismantle the Democrat-led health bill and replace it with the American Health Care Act. The AHCA, as it stands now will get rid of the requirement for buying into and being penalized for not having health insurance, insurers will be able to charge older consumers at a significant higher rate than the ACA had in placed, and states will have the option to opt out and write their own essential healthcare benefit coverage, to name a few of the changes.
Before the federal statute, most Americans relied on their employers to provide most of their health care needs, leaving out a large population either too old, disabled, young or unemployed the opportunity to health care coverage. While employers didn’t always provide health related benefits to its employees, a system that developed during the 1920s as a marketing ploy to increase patients hospital visits, the progressive step signified America was seemingly willing to investment in the people.
Enacted in 2010, the ACA, often deemed as a socialist ideology, projects that healthcare is a right that everyone should have access to and it’s a part of society’s job to help in providing that coverage for all. Yet, America is a capitalist society that thrives on a competitive markets and individualism, and for many Republicans, they hold on to ideologies that less government is better for a thriving society. Understanding this concept, it is becoming crucial for consumers to become vigilant in assessing their medical needs.
The Republican proposed replacement for the ACA, initially unveiled March 6, has endure wavering support within the party-line. A House vote on the bill scheduled March 23, was delayed by House Leader Paul Ryan and President Trump due to a lack of support from the Republicans. The fate of healthcare reside with the Senate now as they attempt to rewrite the current AHCA legislation. How health care under President Donald Trump’s Administration will look if passed, the Congressional Budget Office reports that upwards 14 million would lack insurance by 2018, premiums that are already high will rise and states will have the option of opting out and rewriting essential benefits, to name a few of the expected changes.
While the potential legislation promises to lower the federal deficit by $119 billion, at what cost is it necessary to make cuts to America’s trillion dollar deficit? Threats to ACA, urge consumers to find ways to answer the uncertainties associated with healthcare in its current state and many are turning to technology.
The explosion of health/wellness apps and wearable technology is creating a greater incentive for consumers to actively engage in their health. According to a survey conducted by Accenture, consumers using wearable health technology doubled in 2016 from 2014, with 33 percent of individuals using technology to manage their health versus 16 percent in 2014. Additionally, itnonline reports that 66 percent of Americans trust their digital health platforms over their physicians.
At no surprise, millennials are twice as likely to use mobile apps to manage their health compared to Americans 66 and older. As individuals turn to mobile health apps to track diet/nutrition, medication reminders, tracking symptoms and physical activities, many consumers will be able to stay ahead of their health needs, which will help to curtail health-related issues in the future.
Not only are mobile apps leading the charge in health innovations, popular online daily deal sites are offering another options to health care coverage. Generally when considering local activities and cuisine, online platforms such as Groupon and LivingSocial provide some of the best deals in goods and services. While the appeal in using those aforementioned platforms are due to discounted prices, using those platforms for searching for services related to matters of the heath, might not be the first resource that comes to mind. However, according to a survey conducted by Unaiz Kababni, a company that provides data on The Daily Deal industry,5–10% of online coupons come from the health and medical industry. A quick search on Groupon for medical services, yields close to 50 medical related services within the Philadelphia region alone, ranging from eye exams to cryotherapy.
In the same vein, 1–800CONTACT coined for fast delivery and quality products have a service that provides online eye exam at a very affordable price. Instead of traveling to a doctor’s office, patients go through a 30-to-40 minute exam, reading off words and symbols that appear on their computer and inserting the answers into their cell phone. The system follows similar procedures as any face-to-face doctor’s visit, quick and direct results, just without the reassurance from a human voice.
As America awaits provisions to healthcare constant developments in technology is forcing consumers to be proactive in assessing their medical options with gadgets such as Fitbit, online platforms for therapy and even crowdsourcing methods to meet medical needs. Technology, an engine for equal opportunity and access, is proving to be a viable pathway.
What health related technology are you using?
