Question

In your opinion, do you think that the Affordable Care Act has had a positive or a negative effect on health insurance coverage? Why?

Please provide a 250 word response. This is a discussion question for my Healthcare Economics class. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The Affordable Care Act has led to the introduction of subsidies which have made the purchasing health insurance less expensive for those people who qualify. Also, the implementation of the 80/20 has ensured that 80 percent of our premium dollars are spent on healthcare instead of being used in the administrative costs.

All qualified health insurance plans are required to provide 10 essential health benefits, including; free preventive and wellness visits. There are; no copay, no deductible, and no coinsurance.

Due to a mistake on an application Insurance companies can’t cancel our policy. Hence now there are no surprise cancellations or pre-existing denials. The insurance companies don’t have the right to deny coverage for a pre-existing condition (unless our plan is grandfathered).

Medicaid has become more inclusive for many
For states that have chosen to expand their program, Uninsured Americans under 138 percent of the poverty level are now included under the Medicaid coverage.

Dependents stay under parents’ plan for a longer period of time. Until they are 26; we can continue to have our children insured under our health plan.

Limits on lifetime benefits have been completely banned and annual limits phased out. (This does not include grandfathered plans); thus no more unreasonable limits.