Will Obamacare Have a Negative Impact on Lipscomb?

by | Apr 27, 2010 | News Slider

The Obama-sponsored health care reform is one of the largest social legislation changes in decades.  As in any major political change, people often wonder how it will impact their lives.  School administrators and students are no different. Some of the largest changes in the health care reform bill include eliminating denial of coverage for preexisting conditions, an end to lifetime insurance spending caps, and small business tax employee health insurance tax credits.  But what has some people in the health care industry worried is the health insurance mandate. Beginning in 2014, Americans will be required to obtain health insurance, or face a penalty.  Generally, most Americans will continue to receive health insurance through their employers.  However, those who are self employed, or working part time, will be forced to purchase insurance.  Those significantly below the poverty line, will receive their insurance from the government via an expansion in Medicaid. A fear is that the potential difference between what a procedure costs and what the government is willing to pay might have a negative impact on the income of health care professionals. “There is a tendency of the government to say ‘We’ll only pay this much, period,’” said Dr. Linda Roberson, a biology professor and member of Lipscomb’s Health Professions Advisory Committee.  Roberson noted that people see how high their doctor bill is and forget the doctor’s costs.  These costs include paying staff, overhead, school loans, and malpractice insurance that has skyrocketed as a result of frivolous lawsuits against doctors that are currently so popular.  Also, the opportunity cost of many years of schooling is quite high. With the amount...