What is the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare) refers to two separate pieces of legislation. The two
pieces are the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of
2010. Together they expand Medicaid coverage to millions of low-income Americans and attempts to make
numerous improvements to both Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Affordable healthcare (more readily available)
Prevents coverage cancellations and denials due to pre-existing conditions
Expanded Medicaid
The Good
The Good Cont…
Children can stay on parents’ insurance until age 26
No annual or lifetime limits
Covers preventive care
The Bad
Penalties for uninsured
Unstable introduction (deadlines pushed back and elements being challenged)
Failure address long-term care
The Bad Cont…
Many states opting out of Medicaid expansion
Narrowed networks
Higher costs (premiums) for some
The Ugly
Anti-religious mandate (e.i forcing organizations to provide contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs)
New and higher taxes
Some people will lose their current plans
The Ugly Cont…
Medicare payment cuts ($575 billion)
Government control over doctor decisions (almost half of all physicians are seriously considering leaving practice)
159 new boards, agencies, and programs
In Conclusion
The Affordable Care Act certainly has it’s proponents and critics. The Act is not a prefect solution (nor is it meant to
be) to a very complex issue; which is healthcare in America. Moreover, the Act will not provide health insurance to everyone leaving millions uninsured.
However, one thing is clear, the ACA is here to stay. Is it a good thing? Or a bad thing? You be the judge.
References
http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/2014/10/06/obamacare-pros-and-cons/
http://www.nationalreview.com/critical-condition/304361/top-ten-worst-things-obamacare-grace-marie-turner
http://thefederalist.com/2014/02/04/5-devastating-obamacare-facts-from-cbos-latest-economic-report/
http://medicaid.gov/affordablecareact/affordable-care-act.html