Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which economic event significantly impacted health care services and access in the late 2000s?

1. Dot-com boom

2. Affordable Care Act implementation

3. Economic downturn of 2008

4. Healthcare Reform of 2010

The correct answer is: Economic downturn of 2008

The economic downturn of 2008 had a profound impact on health care services and access. This financial crisis led to high unemployment rates, which in turn resulted in a significant loss of health insurance coverage for many individuals and families. As more people lost their jobs, they also lost their employer-sponsored health insurance, making it difficult for them to access necessary medical care. Additionally, the economic downturn put immense pressure on state budgets, leading to cuts in Medicaid and other public health funding. These budget constraints forced many healthcare providers to either reduce services or close their doors, further limiting access to care for vulnerable populations. While the Dot-com boom and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act were notable events in their own right, they did not have the same immediate and widespread negative consequences for health care access as the economic downturn of 2008. Similarly, the Healthcare Reform of 2010, while significant in shaping future healthcare policies, largely addressed the issues that arose from the earlier economic crisis rather than being a direct contributing factor to immediate access problems during that time.