The Challenges of Health Care Reform for Hospital Social Work in the United States

Abstract

This article examines the potential impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 on the practice of hospital social work in the United States and its implications for social work education and training. It briefly traces the history of hospital social work, outlines some contemporary issues in the health care field, particularly those that create persistent health disparities, summarizes the major provisions of the Act that have implications for social work practice, and discusses how social workers in hospital settings might respond effectively to the changes produced by the legislation.

Keywords:

• hospital social work
• health care disparities
• Affordable Care Act

Acknowledgments

A version of this article was presented at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Michigan Hospital Social Work Department in May 2012. The author thanks Katie Januario for her research assistance.