The Affordable Care Act

Long-term care in the United States and other countries suffers multiple problems. Many people find it difficult to afford the high costs of services available and there is often inadequate care coordination, which compromises care quality, particularly amongst those eligible for multiple public programs. Recruitment and retention of a well-trained, stable workforce is also considered a challenge that needs to be addressed. The policy debate leading up to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) drew attention to prevailing deficiencies in the way long-term care is delivered, regulated, and financed in the United States. This collection reviews what was accomplished by the legislation and what still remains to be done. Just how effective is the ACA likely to be in addressing the challenges plaguing the long-term care sector? Did it result in meaningful change or make little impact? This book answers these questions, drawing contributions from among the most eminent long-term care experts in the United States. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy.