The Affordable Care Act: The good, the bad, and the ugly

By Latagia Copeland B.S.,A.S.

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