Delivering Healthcare in America

Regarding the accomplishments of the ACA, it has caused a significant drop in the number of uninsured people across the United States. According to the 2018 report for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the rate of uninsured persons dropped from 13.3% to 8.8% between 2013 and 2016, causing the highest healthcare coverage in the nation (Broaddus, 2018). It has also enabled an equitable healthcare cover, across age, race, education, and poverty status. Besides, there is better cover and treatment of opioid-related health issues than the pre-ACA era. Also, people with pre-existing conditions can afford healthcare coverage through the federal marketplace. I also think that covering some Medicare prescription drug plans costs is a crucial accomplishment, saving many senior citizens prescription drug costs.

I think the ACA moved in the right direction for the greater good. Also, I believe that it is fair or unfair, depending on the frame of reference. For instance, the ACA is acceptable to private insurers, which does not make sense when bidding for fair healthcare costs to consumers. Private insurers are there to make a profit, and ACA has not prevented them from charging more for less. Nevertheless, the ACA has made coverage more diverse and relatively accessible than in the past, which is a good thing to consumers. The Commonwealth Fund also found that small scale businesses gain in healthcare coverage (Chase & Arensmeyer, 2018).

Obamacare has affected my family on two occasions. First, it has helped cover for pre-existing conditions with a family member. This could have possibly made us bankrupt. Secondly, it has kept siblings who lost their cover after college under the family plan until 26 years of age, which is an economic advantage to them. Nevertheless, I wish they removed the enrollment fines.

References

Broaddus, M. (2018). On ACA’s Birthday, 5 Charts Highlight Key Accomplishments. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Retrieved 17 September 2020, from https://www.cbpp.org/blog/on-acas-birthday-5-charts-highlight-key-accomplishments.

Chase, D., & Arensmeyer, J. (2018). The Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Small Business | Commonwealth Fund. Commonwealthfund.org. Retrieved 17 September 2020, from https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2018/oct/affordable-care-act-impact-small-business.