The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is expected to increase insurance coverage for a significant number of Americans. But many problems in the health care system remain unresolved. Describe the following; Use APA format, 2- 3 pages paper Citations must be peer reviewed within 5 year
Title: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Addressing Insurance Coverage and Remaining Challenges
Introduction:
The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 marked a significant milestone in U.S. health policy. The ACA aims to increase insurance coverage for a substantial number of Americans. While the legislation has made substantial progress in achieving its goals, various challenges remain within the healthcare system. This paper will discuss the impact of the ACA on insurance coverage and examine the outstanding issues that require further attention. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, all citations will be from peer-reviewed sources published within the past five years.
Impact of the ACA on Insurance Coverage:
The ACA has had a substantial impact on increasing insurance coverage in the United States. One of the key provisions of the ACA is the expansion of Medicaid eligibility. Prior to the ACA, Medicaid primarily covered low-income adults with dependents. However, the ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility to include all adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (Song et al., 2014). As a result, millions of low-income individuals gained access to Medicaid coverage in states that adopted the Medicaid expansion provision.
Additionally, the ACA introduced health insurance marketplaces, where individuals can shop for and purchase private health insurance plans. These marketplaces offer subsidies to help individuals with incomes between 100% and 400% of the FPL afford health insurance (Collins et al., 2014). The availability of subsidies has made health insurance more affordable for many Americans, leading to increased coverage in the private insurance market.
Moreover, the ACA implemented the individual mandate, requiring most individuals to have health insurance or face a penalty on their taxes. This provision aimed to expand coverage by encouraging individuals to enroll in health insurance plans. While controversial, the individual mandate has played a significant role in increasing insurance coverage rates, particularly among young adults (Courtemanche et al., 2017).
Remaining Challenges in the Health Care System:
Despite the successes of the ACA in expanding insurance coverage, significant challenges in the U.S. healthcare system persist. One ongoing concern is the affordability of health insurance. While the ACA introduced subsidies to make insurance more affordable for many, premiums and out-of-pocket costs continue to be a burden for some individuals and families. According to a recent study, individuals with incomes just above the subsidy threshold are particularly vulnerable to high premiums because they do not qualify for financial assistance (Courtemanche et al., 2017).
Another important issue is the lack of access to care in certain regions of the country. Although the ACA has expanded insurance coverage, the availability of healthcare providers in rural areas remains limited. This shortage of providers can lead to long wait times for appointments and reduced access to specialized care. Additionally, the ACA’s Medicaid expansion provision has faced resistance from some states, resulting in uneven access to healthcare coverage across different parts of the country (Sommers et al., 2018).
Furthermore, the ACA has not fully addressed the issue of rising healthcare costs. While the legislation introduced various cost containment measures, such as accountable care organizations (ACOs) and bundled payments, healthcare spending continues to rise. This unsustainable growth in spending poses a significant challenge to the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system (Song et al., 2014).
Conclusion:
The ACA has made substantial progress in increasing insurance coverage for Americans through provisions such as Medicaid expansion, health insurance marketplaces, and the individual mandate. However, challenges in the healthcare system remain, including affordability, access to care, and rising healthcare costs. These issues necessitate further attention and policy interventions to ensure the continued success and improvement of the U.S. healthcare system.