Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which group is primarily affected by the provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997?

1. High-income families

2. Pediatric patients

3. Frail older adults

4. Wealthy individuals

The correct answer is: Frail older adults

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 primarily affected frail older adults, as it introduced significant changes to Medicare and Medicaid, which are key programs for this population. One of the main focuses of this legislation was to control government spending, particularly in relation to health care services used by older adults, who often require more medical attention and long-term care services. By implementing restrictions on spending and establishing new payment systems for providers, the act aimed to enhance the efficiency of these programs. This directly impacts frail older adults because many of them depend on Medicare for their health care needs, and any alterations to the coverage, reimbursement rates, or services provided can significantly influence their access to necessary medical care. Other groups, such as high-income families or wealthy individuals, generally have more financial resources and may not rely on government-funded programs like Medicare to the same extent. Pediatric patients, while certainly a vulnerable population, were not the primary focus of this legislation as it specifically targeted sustainability and funding for programs affecting older adults. Thus, the provisions of the Balanced Budget Act are most relevant to frail older adults who are reliant on Medicare and Medicaid services for their health care.