Original Article: http://goo.gl/iW1fV3

Factors contributing to changes in health care

The Affordable Care Act, cuts to Medicare, lack of Medicaid expansion in some states and hospital debts are contributing to transformations in hospitals and in the health care delivery model. “Beyond traditional employment,” tweeted the American Hospital Association, “hospitals support an additional 10 milllion jobs elsewhere in the economy.” Other changes include advances in technology, such as the conversion to electronic health records, and the rise of alternative provider settings, Challenger said. This will require other health care workers, such as nurses, to do more, he said.

Willig added that industry consolidation, executive turnover and retirement also are forcing changes.