From Life Health Pro:
The number of emergency room visits has increased since the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — and most doctors expect it to get even worse over the next few years.
In a poll of some 1,800 emergency physicians by the American College of Emergency Physicians, nearly half said more patients have been coming through their ER doors since Jan. 1, when many of PPACA’s key provisions went into effect.
Another 27 percent said the numbers haven’t changed, while 23 percent said they’ve seen a decline in ER visits.
Over the next three years, 86 percent of these doctors believe emergency room use will increase. And what’s more, 77 percent say their ERs are not adequately prepared for significant increases in traffic.
The poll’s findings about increasing ER visits are noteworthy given the law’s promise that it would reduce costly emergency room visits, because it was designed to encourage patients to seek care in a doctor's office or clinic settings. Though the fact that ERs are experiencing flooding isn't surprising, given the number of newly insured patients. ...
