Mortenson study: Healthcare providers optimistic, but want changes to Affordable Care Act

Despite overall optimism in healthcare, support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has lessened, according to a study from Mortenson.

Nearly eight out of 10 healthcare providers feel that legislation needs significant changes or revisions. The 2015 Mortenson Healthcare Industry Study found that only one-third of providers think that the ACA would lower the per-patient cost of healthcare.

But, providers are confident in advances in facility design, IT, waste and energy reduction, and environmental improvements, and they believe that transparency and patients’ concern in their own wellness will improve the sector as a whole. The study says that 76% of healthcare providers feel “very optimistic” or “optimistic” about the future of healthcare.

The report also found that providers predict that virtual care will become more common, and that providers link physical healthcare facilities and environments with patient outcomes.

"The healthcare market is still in the process of adapting to a new normal," said Bob Nartonis, SVP and National Healthcare Market Leader at Mortenson, in a statement. "There are several challenging dynamics facing healthcare service providers today but they are optimistic as a whole. We are encouraged to see healthcare facility design, interest in the patient experience, and changes in technology continuing to drive innovation in the market."

The full report is available here.