The Effects of the Affordable Healthcare Act on Health Care

The Effects of the Affordable Healthcare Act on Health Care Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation The Effects of the Affordable Healthcare Act on Health Care Introduction The Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) is a law that is meant to expand an individual’s access to health care insurance coverage, especially for individuals who fall between the public and private insurance mechanisms. The ACA mainly targets the middle and low-income earners together with their families since these particular classes of individuals are often less likely to be insured. Under the ACA, two approaches are utilized to improve access to health care services. The first is expanding access to Medicaid, for the individuals whose income ranges up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, while the second is creating eligibility for individuals whose income levels fall between 139 percent and 140 percent, to apply for subsidies, which are helpful in applying for qualified health plans in areas known as health insurance exchanges (Mukherjee, 2016). The number of uninsured individuals in the United States before the introduction of the Act was close to 49 million citizens. The amount of funds directed to health care in the U.S is also significantly larger. To address the issues, the ACA was introduced. Nonetheless, the Act has brought much debate in the country. However, the controversies did not stop the Act from being enacted in 2010. The idea of affordable care has attracted the interest of other nations, mainly because it has helped reduce the number of uninsured citizens significantly. Despite its benefit to patients, the Act has brought much controversy and dissatisfaction, especially among health care providers. The essay seeks to discuss the effect of the Act in the health care system in regards to its influence on patients, institutions of health and healthcare providers. Historical Perspective The Affordable Care Act was established in 2009, and President Obama signed it into law on March 23, 2010 (McDonough, 2015). The main provisions of the Act took effect on the first of January 2014 (McDonough, 2015). The main principle governing the Act is the fact that every U.S citizen is eligible for some basic security when it comes to health care. The Act was widely nicknamed Obamacare and extended insurance to approximately 30 million individuals, most of whom were low and middle-class earners. Despite its enactment in 2010, the concept was hardly new. Some presidents had previously tried to push for a countrywide insurance system but failed. Even after its enactment, various groups still debated over the Act, which created a barrier to its full implementation. In 2012, however, the Supreme Court finally upheld most of the provisions of the Act (McDonough, 2015). States still competed with the government over the Act even after its implementation in twenty-six states and the National Federation of Independent Business filing lawsuits over the matter in federal courts to challenge the mandate that citizens should either carry insurance or face penalties. Some of the individuals against the Act stated that it would force some citizens out of their private health insurance covers and into a health coverage run by the government. Significance in the Healthcare Setting The effects of the Act have been highly felt in American health care. The most prevalent was making healthcare services affordable to the lower and middle-class individuals. Approximately 20 million individuals in the lower income bracket have gained insurance coverage under the Act (Sohn, & Timmermans, 2017). Since the first initial enrollment began in 2013, more than 15 million people have enrolled in Medicaid. In states that implemented the Act, individual enrollment in Medicaid increased by 36 percent compared to states which failed to expand after the enactment of the ACA (Sohn, & Timmermans, 2017). Moreover, more than 6 million young adults between the age of 19 and 25 have enrolled for coverage under the ACA since 2010. With the dependent coverage, close to 2.3 million people also signed up from 2014 to 2016 (Sohn, & Timmermans, 2017). Certain provisions in the insurance cover allow for young adults to remain covered in their parent’s insurance up to the age of 26, in case they are unable to afford the insurance. Overall, the number of uninsured persons has reduced significantly, especially among the elderly. The difference in coverage varies across states, and this can be due to some factors which include the variation in implementing the law, and different levels of consumer outreach. The rise in coverage and affordability has increased access to health care services for the poor. More individuals can access medical examinations and medication as well as access to doctors. The Medicaid expansion under the ACA has seen many individuals afford usual sources of care. In terms of returns, the Act has also influenced the number of outpatient and preventive care offered to individuals (Sohn, & Timmermans, 2017). The implementation of ACA has led to Medicaid expansion, which has increased physician visits and routine checkups among young adults. Benefits and Problems The benefits of the ACA started from its core. Its implementation meant that every American citizen had the legal right to affordable health care coverage. It is imperative that every individual has an insurance cover and can access universal health care. Through the ACA, individuals enjoy free wellness examinations and preventive services, cheap costs of drug prescripti...