Page 23 - Layout 1
P. 23
ELECTION
IMPACT
IMPACT OF ELECTION OUTCOME FROM
A MEDICAL STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
By Anu Kapadia
With the results of the 2016 Presidential Election, there have been impossible to do so without access to healthcare. And at the end of
many questions that have surfaced. As a medical student, “How does the day, sending your patient home with nothing is frankly demor-
this election impact the medical student experience?” is one that alizing for both the patient and provider.
particularly comes to mind.
It is not fair to talk about this topic without addressing that we
During the clinical years of medical school, we get to know our have encountered patients who are not happy with their healthcare
patients deeply because we have the luxury of time. This additional plan. This may be shaped by patients finding it difficult to deter-
time often results in understanding the social stressors our patients mine what plan is the right fit for the patient and their families.
experience. Even without the expansion of Medicaid in Texas, I have That being said, improving on an imperfect system is not the same
felt that the Affordable Care Act has given me hope for my patients. as the threat to decrease the resources available.
Seeing patients who develop severe complications from what were
initially treatable conditions is heartbreaking. Moreover, there are However, while discussing fears and concerns surrounding the fu-
times when you cannot provide treatments because patients are not ture of the ACA, there is also a positive impact this can have on us
able to afford it or follow-up. One of the most challenging but re- as medical students. It forces us to talk about how we imagine the
warding experiences I have had as a student is serving as an advocate future of healthcare in America. How do we increase access to care?
for my patients. The joy in advocacy, however, is shaped by what How do we improve the health of our patients from prevention to
can be done for the patient. As resources and assistance in healthcare cure? It is my hope that we take advantage of the frustrations on all
decreases, there is less one can do. ends of the political spectrum to come together and create change
in order to enrich the health and wellness of our communities.
In Bexar County, 76,000 residents obtained insurance for the first
time because of the ACA after the first enrollment period. That’s a Ana Kapadia is a fourth-year medical student at University of Texas
lot of people! We want our patients to live healthy lives, and it is Health Science Center at San Antonio.
visit us at www.bcms.org 23
