Health Insurance: The Affordable Care Act

Ever since the Affordable Care Act has been implemented it has been described as something that will help the economy. More people with health insurance, more jobs, and a lower national debt were a few things described as results of Obamacare. Unfortunately, the exact opposite has occurred. For starters, the Affordable Care Act is killing full-time jobs. The Affordable Care Act is requiring businesses to provide all employees with health insurance if there is at least fifty

The Affordable Care Act was passed to provide American’s better access to health insurance coverage. In addition to better access the ACA improved health care quality and lowered health care cost. The ACA reformed health insurance by expanding coverage, holding insurance companies accountable, lowering health care costs, guaranteeing more choices, and enhancing the quality of care. Although some states have not implemented all the benefits of the ACA, most citizens do have access to health insurance. This paper will address some of the general highlights of the ACA, how it impacted healthcare and the nursing practice.

The Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress and then signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. The law was enacted in two parts: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010 and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” is used to refer to the final, amended version of the law. The Act provided Americans with better health security by expanding coverage, held insurance companies accountable, lowered health care costs, guaranteed more choices and enhanced the care for all Americans (Medicaid.gov). Health insurance market places allowed shoppers to compare health plan that counted as minimum essential coverage.

In 2010 during the term of President Barack Obama something needed to be done due to the rise of healthcare costs and the number of people who were uninsured and unable to pay their healthcare bills (ehealthinsurance 2014). United States spent more on healthcare than any other country but yet was only the 34th in life expectancy. These are some of the many reasons why The Affordable Care Act came about and was signed into a health care law. This landmark law impacted and changed many aspects of the healthcare system, as well as influenced everyone’s healthcare options in the United States. The Affordable Care Act has been just about been one of the most

As the implementation of The Affordable Care Act (ACA) nears, news media is featuring a large number of individuals whose health insurance coverage is being cancelled. The current administration claims that their objective is for everyone to have health insurance, but there is a gap between their new legislation and the results. American consumers are falling in the gap between private insurance plans that are too expensive, and the poorly developed government system. Despite claims from the Obama administration, the Affordable Care Act limits the American public’s choice of private health insurance plans.

Through the years people in the Unites States have struggle with issues dealing with having health coverage. In March 2014 Obama care also known as Affordable Care Act was sign into law making it possible for the lower and middle class to be able to afford health insurance. The affordable care act was in congress from 2009 to 2010.With the act been pass it made it easier for the people to qualify and get help and pay so little with no extra cost. Even thought the insurance is not free it is now affordable for people so now people have a wider range of coverage options. With the affordable care act been pass they are hoping with the affordable screening and preventive services they can be more proactive with people’s healthcare and delay

Insurers cover patients at no cost: Under the ACA, nearly all insurers most provide specific preventative care to patients, at no cost. (HHS.gov, 2016)

During his presidential announcement speech, Trump’s presented his ideas on how he will bring the American back to life since the American dream is dead in his perspective. Among all the claims he expresses his thoughts on Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act. He affirms “We have a disaster called the big lie: Obamacare. Obamacare." and admits that indeed Obamacare will really kick in 2016. Trump plans on repealing and replacing Obamacare. He plans on granting better health insurance to everyone at an inexpensive cost for the people and for the government. Trump exaggerates the cost to persuade his Republican audience into believing of Obamacare as a catastrophe, however, he fails to backup the data he presents not to mention that the data is wrong.

Dr. Atul Gawande wrote a piece for the New Yorker titled “Now What.” It was published just one short month after President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and it addresses a few points of consideration surrounding the controversial law, points that have since compounded into intense debates. For anyone who has glanced at a newspaper or navigated the internet between then and now, it’s impossible to miss; the tension created from the passing of the ACA is palpable. Four years later, the ACA remains a hot topic, especially in political circles.

Over the past fifty years, the method in which healthcare services are funded has gone through significant changes. The country has seen the expansion of insurance from paying medical bills for hospital stays, to the creation of managed care, and the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While the process has not been without challenges, healthcare administrators must continue to analyze past funding systems to understand the oversights and misinterpretations to prevent complications in the future. This paper will investigate fee-for-service practices and how these practices have progressed to uncontrolled utilization.

The Affordable Care Act completely changed the patient landscape of health care safety nets with its implementation in 2010. In particular, its expansion of Medicaid significantly shifted uninsured patient healthcare provider utilization, from emergency departments and free clinics, towards community health centers and federally qualified health centers. Yet major gaps in healthcare coverage persist due to states choosing not to expand Medicaid, exclusion of undocumented immigrants, and misunderstandings of the ACA. Health care safety net providers must understand their changing demographics and the needs of vulnerable uninsured patient populations. In doing so, healthcare safety net providers will be better informed in regards to necessary changes needed to thrive in the post-ACA era.

The citizens of the United States are burdened with many hardships. Most of these hardships stem from poor political policies and programs set forth by past politicians. However, politicians cannot be the only blame. This country is relatively young. Our political policies are still in somewhat of a “beta” period. We only learn from trial and error. This country is in the middle of a political shift. Now is the time to make the necessary changes to mold and shape our future society for the better. Far too long have Americans been denied basic necessities such as education, food, employment, and most importantly healthcare. The healthcare crisis has been the topic of debate for many years among politicians across all the governmental factions. The catalyst applying the brake on healthcare progress has been a strong division of politicians on what is ethical and what is legal when it comes to the government putting its foot in the door. Along with that debate there is also whether or not the government should do anything at all or just let the private sector and the citizens hash it out. Throughout U.S. history many attempts have been made to reform our healthcare system to no avail. Healthcare reform is clearly an issue that takes great socioeconomic knowledge and political tact. President Barack Obama is the first president to present us with such a plan. This plan is known as The Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare” (a term coined by a group of Republicans to disenfranchise

The method in which healthcare services are funded has gone through many changes over the past fifty years. The country has seen the expansion of insurance from paying medical bills for hospital stays, to the creation of managed care, and the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In order to prevent future issues with financial options for healthcare services, healthcare administrators must analyze past funding systems to understand the oversights and misinterpretations. This paper will investigate fee-for-service practices and how this practice led uncontrolled utilization.

The Affordable Care Act has been a point of contention for many people. I am going to review the Affordable Care Act as far health care provider challenges and benefits. I will look at this from an individual point of view. I will look at this from an employer point of view. I will look at this from an employee point of view. Lastly, I will give my reflection regarding this topic.

A few important points, Parks (2011) found that, “As of 2013, there are approximately 44 million Americans that are not able to afford the costs of health insurance” and Epperly (2012) found that, “In 2014, six in ten Americans without health insurance could get coverage for $100 or less a month”. Now I am very open to the fact that ObamaCare has its many flaws that can negatively impact others, therefore I do not want to take this opportunity to force my opinion on others. It is important to know how much the health care system has been greatly affected by ObamaCare and to share the benefits, know the rights and protection of the people that ObamaCare also has to offer.