Health Reform and the Health Workforce

Efforts to Improve Access to Care

Adequate access to care is characterized by the ability to obtain necessary, affordable, convenient, appropriate, and effective health care services in a timely manner. In efforts to improve access to care, health reform is moving towards a broader system of linked goals, often referred to as the “triple aim.” These overarching goals aim to:

1. Improve the experience of care for patients
2. Improve the health of populations
3. Reduce the cost of health care

The focus of the health care delivery system has shifted from acute, episodic care to primary and preventative care and effective chronic disease management. Health care reform initiatives are driving rapid change to meet the goals of the triple aim. This requires changing how the health workforce is used.

The current health reform strategies include:

• Making health care services affordable for patients
• Getting the right health workers in the right places
• Finding the most cost-efficient and effective models of care
• Expanding the roles of health workers to meet patient needs