Current Public Policy: Select A Local, State, Or National ✓ Solved

Current Public Policy · Select a local, state, or national

Current Public Policy · Select a local, state, or national public policy that is relevant today in the local, regional or national news.

Policy History · Identify how the policy was formulated from a historical standpoint and identify which stakeholders were involved in the process.

Policy Position Appraisal · Appraise the position whether the policy creates a benefit for one group (or stakeholder) while other groups experience disadvantages or negative challenges because of public policy implementation.

Conclusion 4 Sources 1. Follow the Credit to Authors and Sources Guidelines found in the Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). a. Appropriately incorporate at least three (3) quality sources. A quality source can be either grey literature, such as a news article, or scholarly, such as peer reviewed /professional industry references. In the case of public administration, government or nonprofit websites are appropriate quality resources.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

The public policy I have chosen to analyze is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, which was enacted in 2010. This policy has been at the forefront of political discussions in the United States for over a decade, especially regarding healthcare access, affordability, and reform. The ACA aimed to expand healthcare coverage, improve healthcare delivery systems, and reduce healthcare costs. It sparked extensive debate at both state and national levels and remains relevant in discussions about health equity and policy reform.

Policy History

The Affordable Care Act was formulated in response to the ongoing healthcare crisis in the United States, where millions of Americans were uninsured, and healthcare costs were skyrocketing. The historical context for the ACA includes decades of rising healthcare costs, increasing numbers of uninsured individuals, and systemic inequities in health access. Stakeholders in the formulation of the ACA included various groups ranging from policymakers, insurance companies, healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and the general public, particularly those who would benefit from expanded coverage.

President Barack Obama and his administration led the charge for healthcare reform, drawing on various models and concepts from previous healthcare policies, such as the Massachusetts health reform law. This bipartisan initiative attracted the attention of various stakeholders, leading to a lengthy legislative process. The debates included discussions surrounding the public option, employer mandates, and the expansion of Medicaid. Ultimately, after considerable negotiation and amendments, the ACA passed in March 2010, fundamentally altering the landscape of healthcare in the United States.

Policy Position Appraisal

The appraisal of the ACA indicates a complex scenario where its implementation provided significant benefits to some groups while presenting challenges to others. One of the primary benefits is the reduction in the number of uninsured Americans. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2010 to 2019, the uninsured rate dropped significantly due to the expansion of Medicaid and the establishment of health insurance marketplaces (Cohen et al., 2020). Moreover, pre-existing conditions no longer disqualify individuals from obtaining health insurance, which has been a vital improvement for many people.

However, the ACA also faced criticism for its impact on certain stakeholders. For instance, small businesses and some individuals experienced increased premiums and deductibles, which was a significant challenge for those not qualifying for subsidies. Additionally, while the ACA expanded coverage for many, it did not reach all who needed it, particularly in states that opted out of the Medicaid expansion (Wheaton et al., 2020). Furthermore, healthcare providers have sometimes expressed concerns about the reimbursement rates under Medicaid, leading to challenges in access to care for low-income populations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Affordable Care Act represents a significant attempt to reform the U.S. healthcare system. It has succeeded in expanding coverage and improving access for millions of Americans while also presenting challenges for others. The dynamic between stakeholders illustrates the complexity of public policy formulation and implementation. The ACA, while crucial in advancing healthcare for many, highlights the need for continued reform to address disparities and ensure equitable access to care. Continuous stakeholder engagement and consideration of diverse perspectives will be essential for future policymaking in this sector.

References

• Cohen, R. A., Martinez, M. E., & Ward, B. W. (2020). Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 2019. National Center for Health Statistics.
• Wheaton, L., & Miller, S. (2020). The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Small Businesses. Journal of Small Business Management, 58(3), 493-503.
• Blumenthal, D., & Collins, K. (2014). Health Care Coverage under the Affordable Care Act – A Progress Report. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(3), 275-281.
• Obama, B. (2016). United States Health Care Reform: Progress to Date and Next Steps. JAMA, 316(5), 525-532.
• Galewitz, P. (2019). 10 Years after the ACA, Here’s What’s Changed in Coverage. Kaiser Health News.
• Rosenbaum, S. (2011). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Implications for Public Health Policy and Practice. Public Health Reports, 126(1), 130-133.
• Hoffman, C., & B. D. (2013). The Affordable Care Act: Implications for State Medicaid Programs. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
• Kaiser Family Foundation (2021). Key Facts about the Uninsured Population. Retrieved from [KFF website link].
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2019). Explaining Health Care Reform: Questions About Health Insurance Subsidies. Retrieved from [HHS website link].
• National Academy of Sciences (2021). The Future of Health Care in the United States: Healthcare Access and Race. Retrieved from [NAS website link].