Privacy,Difficult
Conversations,and Drawing the
LineConsiderations for Librarians Assisting
Patronswith Implementation of the Affordable Care
Act
Patron Protectionand Affordable Care Act
(PPACA)
Affordable Care Act(ACA)
Federal Health Care Reform
“Obamacare”
● State Library of Ohio ACA webpage● Healthcare.gov
○ Federal Government● Libraries and Health Insurance
○ WebJunction Presentation● Libraries and Health Insurance
○ WebJunction Webpage● Federal Health Care Reform FAQs
○ Ohio Department of Insurance● Affordable Care Act Resources
○ American Library Association● ALA Delicious Links for the ACA
Resources
● Guidelines for Medical, Legal, and Business Responses
● Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers
Privacy
“We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.”
~ ALA Code of Ethics
Difficult Conversations
● Advice○ Become familiar with Ohio’s
ACA exchange at HealthCare.gov
○ Provide authoritative, non-partisan resources
○ Know contact information of outside organizations
Difficult Conversations
● Advice● Confidentiality● Tact
○ Common Sense○ Discretion○ Sensitivity○ Courtesy
Difficult Conversations
● Approachability● Interest● Listening & Inquiring● Searching● Completion
& Follow-up
Difficult Conversations
● Approachability● Interest● Listening & Inquiring● Searching● Completion
& Follow-up
Difficult Conversations
● Approachability● Interest● Listening & Inquiring● Searching● Completion
& Follow-up
Difficult Conversations
● Approachability● Interest● Listening & Inquiring● Searching● Completion
& Follow-up
Difficult Conversations
● Approachability● Interest● Listening & Inquiring● Searching● Completion
& Follow-up
Difficult Conversations
● Approachability● Interest● Listening & Inquiring● Searching● Completion
& Follow-up
Final Thoughts
• Be aware of the basics
• Be prepared
• Be conscious of protecting patrons’ privacy
• Be tactful and approachable
• Be interested
• Be willing to work together
• Be willing to ask
• Know where to draw the line