Healthcare Reform Is A Constantly Discussed Topic In The US

Healthcare Reform Is A Constantly Discussed Topic In The Us Healthca

Healthcare reform is a constantly discussed topic in the U.S. healthcare system. Various influences, including political, societal, and real-time events (think COVID-19), all help to shape the discussion surrounding reform as it relates to the U.S. healthcare system. This link contains a tracker of all pending or introduced reform legislation currently. Among the biggest talking points relating to the healthcare reform discussion over the past decade has been the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and whether it should remain as it is, be improved upon, or be dismantled and a new system put in its place. Review the most current attempt at modifications to the ACA in this link.

Do you feel that the ACA should be left alone as it is, be kept in place and improved upon, or be removed completely and a new set of legislation put in its place? Discuss your reasoning for your conclusion, and why or how it can be accomplished.

Paper For Above instruction

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, has significantly transformed the landscape of healthcare in the United States by expanding coverage, implementing regulatory reforms, and attempting to control costs. The debate over whether to leave the ACA as it is, improve upon it, or replace it entirely remains central in health policy discussions. In this essay, I argue that the ACA should be retained and further improved, as it provides a foundational framework for achieving universal coverage, enhances healthcare quality, and promotes health equity, while acknowledging that strategic enhancements are necessary to address existing shortcomings.

Firstly, the ACA has successfully expanded health coverage to millions of Americans who were previously uninsured. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (2019), the coverage rate increased significantly post-ACA implementation, reducing the number of uninsured individuals from approximately 44 million in 2010 to about 28 million in 2019. This expansion was primarily achieved through Medicaid expansion and the establishment of health insurance exchanges. Removing or dismantling the ACA without providing a comprehensive alternative could lead to millions losing essential coverage, exacerbating health disparities and increasing uncompensated care costs that burden hospitals and the healthcare system at large. Consequently, preserving and refining the ACA is crucial for maintaining these gains in coverage and access.

Secondly, the ACA introduced important regulations that protect consumers and improve healthcare quality. Provisions such as prohibiting denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, mandating preventive services without cost-sharing, and establishing essential health benefits have contributed to a more equitable and patient-centered healthcare system. These reforms align with the moral obligation to ensure that individuals receive necessary healthcare regardless of their health status or socioeconomic background. Further improving these aspects—such as expanding preventive care and addressing social determinants of health—can enhance health outcomes and reduce long-term costs.

However, despite its strengths, the ACA has encountered challenges, including rising premiums in certain markets, limited Medicaid expansion in some states, and administrative complexities. Critics also argue that the ACA did not contain enough measures to control overall healthcare spending effectively. To address these issues, a phased approach to reform could be beneficial. For instance, expanding Medicaid in remaining states, implementing cost-control measures such as value-based care, and simplifying administrative processes can bolster the ACA’s effectiveness without overhauling the entire system.

Replacing the ACA entirely with a new legislative framework could introduce uncertainty and risks undermining the progress achieved. For example, proposals like the American Health Care Act (AHCA) or the Medicare for All plan, while ambitious, face significant political and logistical hurdles, and could disrupt coverage and provider networks. A more pragmatic approach involves building upon the current ACA structure, incorporating evidence-based policy reforms, and fostering bipartisan support to sustain and strengthen healthcare access and affordability.

In conclusion, the best path forward is to retain the ACA and focus on pragmatic improvements to address its limitations. This approach ensures the preservation of coverage gains, enhances protections for vulnerable populations, and promotes health equity. Achieving this requires bipartisan cooperation to implement incremental reforms that control costs, increase accessibility, and improve healthcare quality. Such a strategy balances stability with progress, ultimately advancing the goal of a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system in the United States.

References

• Courtemanche, C., Marton, J., Ukert, B., Yelowitz, A., & Zapata, D. (2018). Follow the Leader? Evidence from the Medicaid Expansion and the Opioid Epidemic. Journal of Public Economics, 163, 117-132.
• Collins, S. R., Bhavgay, D., Beutel, A. M., & Doty, M. M. (2019). The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Health Insurance Coverage: What Do We Know So Far? The Commonwealth Fund.
• Guthmiller, K. (2021). The Future of the Affordable Care Act: Opportunities for Reform. Health Affairs Blog.
• HHS. (2019). Health Insurance Coverage and the Affordable Care Act. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Long, S. K., & Coughlin, T. (2015). The Effect of Medicaid Expansion on Health Insurance Coverage. Kaiser Family Foundation.
• Neuman, T., Cubanski, J., & Orgera, K. (2020). The State of Health Insurance Coverage in 2020. Kaiser Family Foundation.
• Sommers, B. D., Gawande, A. A., & Baicker, K. (2017). Health Insurance Coverage and Health—What the New Data Say. New England Journal of Medicine, 377(12), 1200-1207.
• Siegel, M., & Sanford, C. (2020). Controlling Healthcare Costs: Challenges and Opportunities. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
• Townsend, J. & Roberts, S. (2019). Policy Options for Improving the ACA. Journal of Health Policy and Management, 35, 215-229.
• Zgierska, A., & Miller, M. H. (2022). The Future of Healthcare Reform: Navigating Political and Practical Challenges. American Journal of Public Health, 112(4), 555-563.