Effect of the 2012 Election on Health Policy Issues for the Nephrologist

摘要

Predictions are dangerous, especially those about the future.a€”Yogi BerraElections have consequences. On November 6, 2012, President Barrack Obama won an overwhelming Electoral College victory and a closer popular vote to give him a second term as president. The United States will continue to have a divided government because the Senate remains in the control of the Democrats and the House continues to be controlled by the Republicans. How this will affect our economy, foreign policy, or defense policy is uncertain, but what is clear is that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will continue to be implemented because the Republicans do not have the power to override a presidential veto to derail it. How will nephrology and nephrologists be affected by the implementation of the ACA over the next 4 years? Respectful of the advice given by one of the countrya€?s most famous a€?philosophers,a€? what follows are my thoughts as to what we might expect and plan for.