Contextual Impact of Social Media on Affordable Care Act

    I'm not here to Judge the Affordable Care Act or discuss its impact on the US and it's citizens, but rather to explore and define the impact social media and citizen journalism has had contextually on the reception, perception or resistance toward the ACA, and to observe whether it has made a significant difference in the action or reaction of the nations population. 
   The Affordable Care Act also known as "Obamacare" was enacted into law in 2010, and has recently taken effect, at least in requiring by law, all US citizens to obtain Health insurance and mandating insurance agencies to accept clients with pre-existing conditions with the idea that anyone should be able to afford to pay (as they will be fined if they do not have proof of insurance by January of 2014.)
   The temporal impact of social media, has been long and drawn out as the Act and it's many ramifications continue to unfold. Since the bill was 2000 plus pages in length, there are only a few who have bothered to read it. In fact the Speaker of the House- Majority Leader, advised us all to pass the bill first and read it later. As these new articles and issues come to light, there are sudden bursts of urgency that cause twitter-pations, facebook frenzy and the like on other social media settings, but it's not likely to die out anytime soon with so much good material yet to be read and implemented in the future. 
     The impact transcends cultural boundaries and is felt across the nation throughout our many varied cultures but social media itself is varied among the cultures. Certainly this first wave of insurance consumers so far are comprised mainly of older, and those of poor health who otherwise have been uninsurable with pre-existing conditions. Or in cases of poverty and unable to afford insurance. Generally speaking these people are not connected to nor participating in social media sites as much as other segments of the US population. The data shows a low response or interest within the younger population of yet uninsured. This is significant because they are generally lower risk, therefore better customers for insurance companies; as they pay their premiums but have little need for using the insurance and this is what creates the base financially for others who do use it to have use of the premiums to cover the costs of the unhealthy patients who use the policies. And so far they're by far the larger sector signing up. It's hard to say if social media is driving their interest, since they aren't the biggest users of social media. It think this falls under culture, but it's interesting to note on the chart above, and in a separate study as well, the difference in how you say it.. in this case Obama care verses Affordable health care, affected the overall conversation with a larger percent of negative remarks, although most were neutral statements, (I take that to mean not heated or politically charged), but more negative nonetheless, when the program was referred to as Obama Care. 
    Physical impact of social media, physically where we are, in America may make a difference on how much we use social media, and what type of an impact social media may have in daily life. For example, urban city areas will be more likely to have technology at hand. To be sure, the Internet and social media is everywhere, at least much more now than just a few years ago. But coverage is still sketchy in rural areas and there are fewer people, therefore less interest in the less populated regions of the nation than in the larger cities. There are more places that social media is utilized in cities. Billboards and news stands plastered with scanner bar codes for accessing ads and Internet sites, Internet cafes and more digital dialog. Location still is extremely important as far as social media is concerned and the ACA is more likely to be accessed in the city as far as the populous is concerned. 
   Socially context of social media and the ACA is without a doubt a popular topic. The graphic above, touches on so many of these contexts but especially in a social context. There are so many people talking about, concerned, inquiring, lobbying for and against the effects on the nations healthcare, personally, and collectively. Its a water cooler topic, debates, talk shows, radio programs, forums, marketing, even entertainment. 

There are two major opposing camps or sides of the issue. Those who feel everyone is entitled to affordable healthcare regardless. And those who feel this entitlement is infringing on our rights and freedom to be compelled or forced to buy any certain type of healthcare system. Social Media seems to heighten that awareness and those differences and polarize the populations into opposing sides. Its rivalry at it's peak. There are those how are not sure what they thinks about it as new issues continue to creep out of the dark corners and more information is disseminated It seems to be losing popularity the more that is learned. Especially when the rule of the game are changing constantly. Like, the assurance early on that those of us with Insurance policies that we are happy with, would be able to continue with those, only now we learn that many of those policies will be phased out and more and more individuals will have to participate in the insurance exchanges. Many employers are cutting hours of full-time employees to avoid paying insurance benefits. These trickling tidbits serve not only as topics of concern in our society but they create and aggravate psychological disturbances as well.
    The psychological context that social media in the ACA arena Is felt in the uncertainty of having the healthcare that we are comfortable with. Our well being, that we will actually be better off than before. The trust we have in what is said on social media as fact, or the sheer fact that there is so much out there to sift through and who to believe or give credibility to? Its very confusing and the rules change the "facts" change, it all messes with what is real and what is false. It may be some of both in the same breath. Things are said to reassure the masses but later new material surfaces to change the game. The latest fiasco is the site to sign up for the insurance exchange. It's a mess. The psychological impact of conflicting social media messages is distrust and apathy. 

    Overall, I think the important thing to remember with social media, citizen journalism and all. Is take it with a grain of salt. The trouble with so much access to information is that most is opinion, whether stated as fact or not. Most posts, articles, forums and blogs whether personal or professionally based are a mixture of fact, conjecture, clarity and or confusion, opinions, misunderstanding, or twisted lies and spin. The demographics of social media and it's users are a varied as humans can be. Like any poll taken, there are a number of different outcomes possible, depending on the audience polled. Not everyone uses Social Media.. not everyone is polled. The danger of social media and all it's venues, is that people take things as fact, they don't usually have a balanced base from which they draw information from so it's usually tilted one direction or another. Another danger is it gives users a false sense of "participation", we have too many "passive activists", people who "think" they are involved but really aren't making a difference.. it's too much chatter and not enough action. 
Okay, some people follow through to action but that's the exception. I think overall social media is more "false" than "real" and that's dangerous. Especially true when it affects so many lives and our well being as does the ACA. There's more information disseminated with the help of social media. We as a people and individuals need to vet the information, sources and share only what passes scrutiny. 
     Some more fall out... the president misspoke? ....really? No matter what side you lean toward, this is a curious spin on another discrepancy. . . 

     Sadly,I think this is not the end of these surprises. Enough said. 
The following is excerpts from an article in Healthcare finance news. It's mostly about the business of healthcare, however the 9 impact examples apply to healthcare in general. 
*MORE: Hadn't considered this before, but it's reasonable to understand that as much as individuals are confused and resisting health care reformation under this cloaked ACA, as well as many of the major insurance companies opposed to the mandates and changes that are being, and will yet be imposed; why would we expect Hosptial's would not feel the same. In fact they are "opting out" of the new Health Care plan, ie, Affordable Care Act/Obamacare, what ever title gets attached to it... the article below spells it out.  

Another twist.. Hospitals opting out of Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act

9 ways social media is impacting healthcare

1. Communication is shifting to public, more open forums. According to the report, four characteristics of social media have altered the nature of interactions among people and organizations: user-generated content, community, rapid distribution, and open, two-way dialogue. 

2. Patients (or consumers) are taking a more active role in their healthcare.  whether researching a certain illness or joining a support group. "The virtual aspect of social media enhances communications by creating a comfortable, often anonymous, environment for engaging and exchanging information." In addition, patients are using tools like Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube to better educate themselves. When faced with an important health decision, 

3. Increased access to information means patients are demanding more transparency.  they want  their doctors, health plans, and condition and disease management as well,"social media site PatientsLikeMe, an eight-year-old health data-sharing platform, as an example of how more than 140,000 patients are connecting with each other. "Social networks will peel back every corner on cost, value, and outcomes,"   allowing the average patient to evaluate and improve his or her conditions, 

4. More instant feedback can help both consumers and organizations. social media to express opinions, grievances, and experiences, they expect faster response  49 percent of those polled expect to hear from their doctor when requesting an appointment or follow-up via social media within a few hours. 

5. Social information is impacting how and when patients select treatment and providers.  what physician to see and when to seek a second opinion. For example, according to the report, 40 percent of those polled said information found in social media would affect the way they coped with a chronic condition, their approach to diet and exercise, and their selection of a specific doctor. 

6. Social media allows for higher levels of trust. . "You want to trust and connect with the people providing you the care,"  form human relationships and connect with their patients,  leads to increased trust.

7. Social media is evolving from a marketing tool into a business strategy.  social media's use is extending into customer service, innovation, and service/product development. "They want and need different tools and different interactions." "It's about social strategy."

8. Providers can use social media as an outcomes-based measurement.  "Social media can offer a unique mechanism for collaborating with other organizations/partners to coordinate care," "A hospital's or physician's first encounter with a patient is often through its online presence," 

9. Health insurers can use social media to help focus on population health.  "patient advocate," it continued, you'll get a jump start on understanding the needs of potential members and determining which needs can be met through social media. Additionally, it noted, organizations should begin to determine an approach to data aggregation

9 way Social Media is Impacting Healthcare Business