This was originally posted by Mark Ryan, MD on the National Physicians Alliance Blog

On March 22nd, I was honored to join Virginia’s 3rd district Rep. Bobby Scott, Joanne Grossi from HHS, and Jill Hanken from the Virginia Poverty Law Center at a forum sponsored by Virginia Organizing and focusing on the important reforms included in the Patient Protection and Accountable Care Act (PPACA). March 23rd was the first anniversary of the PPACA’s passage, but polls continue to show that Americans are uncertain what the PPACA means to them. As a result, Virginia Organizing and its community partners held a number of meetings to spread the word about this important reform.

Rep. Scott and Ms. Grossi discussed why the PPACA’s reforms were necessary, and what the law means on the national level. Ms. Grossi also discussed how some of these reforms will impact Virginians. I spoke as a primary care provider (and active NPA member) as to how the law will improve health care for my patients. Finally, Ms. Hanken reviewed some of the tangible steps toward implementing changes required by the PPACA.

I was glad to participate in this event, as the law’s reforms are of critical improvement. All physicians should be speaking with their patients about how the PPACA will improve access to care and reform insurance company practices to make them more responsive to patients (and policyholders). This law is a critical step to the quality health care all providers should be striving for.

Some photos from the event: