Introduction
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a controversial healthcare law debated in the US for many years. Drawing from week 3, the proponents view the ACA as a solution to the issues in healthcare because it helps improve access to quality and affordable healthcare (Caswell and Timothy 2019). The policy has incorporated numerous preventive care methods, such as free yearly examinations, cholesterol tests, and mammograms, which can assist in reducing future disease treatment costs.
On the other hand, the policy’s opponents think it is expensive and inefficient (Béland et al., 2020). For example, individuals against the law claim that it leaves families with fewer funds to spend on necessities such as food, clothing, and education. Therefore, although the ACA has sparked a great debate, its benefits of increasing access to healthcare outweigh the potential cost and government intrusion.
Position in Favour of The Policy
As stated in week 3, ACA was a major part of the Clinton campaign, and it was created to solve the problems of Medicare mismanagement and fraud. It was designed to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Americans, regardless of income level. ACA introduced a system of subsidies and cost-sharing, which allowed individuals and families to purchase health insurance at a price they could afford. The ACA expanded Medicaid coverage and reduced out-of-pocket costs for individuals and families.
Millions of Americans have gained access to health insurance through the ACA since its passage in 2010 (Caswell and Timothy 2019, 541). The ACA has dramatically reduced the number of uninsured Americans and enhanced the quality of life for many individuals and families (Birkland, 2019). Pre-existing conditions are no longer reasons for denying coverage under the ACA, making it feasible for people with existing medical problems to join an insurance plan.
Additionally, ACA has greatly benefited patients by providing access to affordable healthcare services. As stated in week 6, the law requires insurance companies to provide coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and subsidies for those who cannot afford health insurance (Bowling et al., 2018). This has allowed people to access the medical services they need without worrying about the cost of coverage. Additionally, the ACA has made preventative care much more accessible, helping to reduce long-term healthcare costs.
For healthcare professionals, the ACA has been beneficial. It has made it easier for them to get paid for their services, as insurance companies are now required to cover care for those with pre-existing conditions. The ACA has increased doctor’s reimbursement rates, allowing them to make a living doing what they love. The law has increased the number of patients who can be served, which helps to reduce wait times and improve the quality of care.
The Response to The Argument in Favour of The Policy
ACA is designed to provide access to quality healthcare to all individuals, regardless of their financial standing or medical history. The policy allows those facing health issues to get the care they need without worrying about the cost. ACA introduced the possibility of private insurance to lower-income individuals (Robertson-Preidler et al., 2020). Moreover, it promotes preventative care, which can help people stay healthy and decrease the chances of developing serious illnesses.
It ascertains that everyone has identical access to clinical attention and insurance provider safety (Birkland, 2019). The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid have been broadened to encompass more people, partly due to the ACA. The expense of supplying medical care to individuals is minimized. Therefore, the policy has successfully granted admittance to top-shelf healthcare regardless of their financial status or medical record.
Under the ACA, health insurers must protect pre-existing conditions, making securing economic health coverage easier for those affected. The law also enforces that insurance firms must take the tab for standard medical services, such as hospitalization, preventive care, and medications (Robertson-Preidler et al., 2020). By limiting the cost-sharing amount for medical care, the ACA lessens the financial burden for individuals needing medical attention.
Additionally, the law has broadened Medicaid coverage for those with limited incomes, allowing those without the means to obtain health insurance to do so. The ACA has established health insurance exchanges, simplifying the process of finding insurance by enabling people to compare costs and plans (Robertson-Preidler et al., 2020). Therefore, the policy has aided in furnishing Americans with top-notch, fairly-priced medical care.
The Position Against the Policy
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been controversial since its inception in 2010. The policy’s opponents are mainly concerned with the financial repercussions it could have on the US economy (Béland et al., 2020). Everyone must now have health insurance through their job, the government, or the state, which will likely cause insurance rates to inflate. This leaves families with fewer funds for necessities like sustenance, apparel, and schooling.
The price of medical treatment will be an extra outlay that could lead to redundancies and higher prices for purchasers, making it difficult for organizations to furnish medical insurance for their staff (Béland et al., 2020). Some believe that ACA has increased expenditure, fees, and government interference in the healthcare industry. Thus, the policy’s opponents believe it failed to solve the healthcare cost issue.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has disrupted the healthcare industry. This legislation requires that medical providers abide by various directives, such as patient confidentiality, documentation, and healthcare excellence (Béland et al., 2020). To observe the ACA, providers must pay expanded taxes and dues. Consequently, many healthcare practitioners have closed their clinics due to these augmented expenditures. Several people in the US are unable to acquire the necessary medical treatment.
This is particularly worrying because sustaining a robust and fruitful society relies on having access to medical care (Béland et al., 2020). Furthermore, the ACA’s impact on surging insurance costs has meant many people cannot afford health care. The ACA’s volatility drastically affects the healthcare market and its participants.
Response To The Argument Against the Policy
ACA has been one of the most controversial pieces of legislation since it was enacted in 2010. Despite its challenges, the ACA has granted healthcare and fiscal safety to countless Americans (Birkland, 2019). One of the primary arguments against the policy is the expense. Though people are obligated to pay a premium, healthcare costs are increasing and will likely continue to increase (Jacobs, Suzanne, and Ling 2019).
To prevent these costs from becoming too expensive, the ACA provides subsidies to those unable to pay the total price and establishes a market of insurance plans to ensure people can compare prices. The statute intends to deliver more amenities than they would normally have. Although some areas of the law can be improved, the policy has helped ensure all Americans have access to the care they need.
Another argument against the ACA is that it has caused many employers to stop offering healthcare benefits to their employees. While this is true in some cases, the reality is that many employers continue to offer coverage, and the ACA has assisted millions of Americans in obtaining coverage through the individual marketplace (Birkland, 2019). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has tremendously impacted the public healthcare system. It has expanded the access to healthcare for millions of Americans who had previously been uninsured.
From the week 6 assignment, the ACA has incentivized providers to focus on preventive care and value-based outcomes rather than a volume-based approach. This has helped to reduce healthcare costs, improve the quality of care, and increase access to care for many Americans. The ACA has positively impacted the public healthcare system, making healthcare more affordable and accessible to all.
Conclusion
Despite its challenges, the ACA remains an important part of the American healthcare system, and its future will be determined by its impact on the health and well-being of American citizens. The supporters argue that the ACA has made quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans. In addition, the ACA has provided protections for those with pre-existing conditions, expanded Medicaid, and implemented numerous reforms to improve quality and reduce costs. On the other hand, critics of the legislation point to the high costs and argue that it has hindered the free market and caused premiums to skyrocket. Regardless of one’s opinion, the ACA has undeniably changed the landscape of American health care and will continue to be a significant issue for years.
References
Birkland, Thomas A. 2019. An Introduction to The Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, And Models of Public Policy Making. 5th ed. Routledge.
Bowling, Brandon, David Newman, Craig White, Ashley Wood, and Alberto Coustasse. (2018). “Provider reimbursement following the affordable care act.” The health care manager 37 (2): 129-135. Web.
Béland, Daniel, Michael Howlett, Philip Rocco, and Alex Waddan. 2020. “Designing Policy Resilience: Lessons from The Affordable Care Act.” Policy Sciences 53: 269-289. Web.
Duggan, Mark, Gopi Shah Goda, and Emilie Jackson. 2019. “The Effects of The Affordable Care Act on Health Insurance Coverage and Labor Market Outcomes.” National Tax Journal 72 (2): 261-322.
Jacobs, Lawrence R., Suzanne Mettler, and Ling Zhu. 2019. “Affordable Care Act Moving to New Stage of Public Acceptance.” Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 44 (6): 911-917.
Robertson-Preidler, Joelle, Manuel Trachsel, Tricia Johnson, and Nikola Biller-Andorno. 2020. “The Affordable Care Act and Recent Reforms: Policy Implications for Equitable Mental Health Care Delivery.” Health Care Analysis 28 (2020): 228-248. Web.
