Healthcare reform is one of the key issues of the 2012 election campaign.  But many voters don’t understand the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the uninsured, current patients, families, businesses, providers and payers.  That provides an opportunity for you to educate yourself on the nuances of the law and become a policy expert in your local communities.

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, as a healthcare professional you can make a personal contribution to the debate over the ACA.  You could write an article for the local newspaper, start a blog, post a video on YouTube or get involved in a Facebook or LinkedIn community.  Since the outcome of this election is likely to determine the national direction of healthcare for the next few years, it’s important for you to express your views on the issue.

Deepening your understanding of healthcare issues and expressing your viewpoint can also have a beneficial impact on your career. For example, if you are in the process of looking for a job, you could become a volunteer campaign worker for a candidate with a compatible view of healthcare reform.  You could become an unofficial “policy advisor” to the candidate or explain the issues to prospective voters or even other campaign workers. That also allows you to expand your personal and professional network of contacts, opening the door to new career opportunities in the future.

Even if you’re not looking for a new job, becoming a healthcare policy “guru” can increase your visibility within your current organization.  Many physicians, administrators and other professionals don’t have the time to study the issues.  Instead, they might turn to an expert within the organization who can answer the question, “What does the election mean to us in terms of healthcare reform?”

If you can become a policy expert, the results can be beneficial to your career, your organization and your community.  Now is the time to take action.