The Passing And Implantation Of The Affordable Care Act

The Passing And Implantation Of The Affordable Care Act Aca Came Wit

The passing and implantation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) came with both positive aspects as well as negative. One positive aspect is that millions of Americans are now able to obtain insurance whereas they were not able to do so before. A major negative aspect to consider when discussing the ACA is the cost associated with it. In fact, prior to its passing and since, many Republicans questioned how Americans would cover the cost. Since its passing, numerous increases in cost for health insurance have occurred.

Increases in overall premiums as well as large deductibles are now significant issues for most individuals. Even employers' costs have increased due to the rise in premiums for their employees' health insurance. Studies show that the cost of insurance has increased significantly enough that the average working employee is paying over $5,000 more in out-of-pocket costs for their family insurance plan through their employer (How Has Obamacare Impacted Health Care Spending, n.d.). Many plans are now deductible plans with high deductibles, meaning that many healthy individuals still pay out of pocket and may never reach the deductible threshold. The ACA is often credited for these increases.

Research indicates a correlation between the ACA and higher health insurance premiums, making it difficult for me to fully support the legislation. Life’s costs are already high, and additional healthcare expenses cause unnecessary financial stress. Personally, a recent employment change has exposed me to the frustrations of deductible insurance plans—paying every two weeks for coverage that doesn’t even cover simple pediatric visits, such as ear infections, highlights the issue. The high costs and deductibles are prohibitive for many families, and the overall affordability of healthcare remains a concern. Although the ACA aimed to serve all individuals—especially those with pre-existing conditions—the rising costs are a significant barrier for many Americans.

Furthermore, questions arise regarding the financial benefits accrued by insurance companies and their executives, who seem to profit from the system. People who choose not to purchase coverage due to cost still face penalties, which many see as unfair. To improve the effectiveness of the ACA, stricter regulations on insurance companies to ensure fairness and affordability are necessary. From a Christian worldview, emphasizing fairness and equality aligns with biblical principles advocating justice for all, including access to affordable healthcare (James 3:17, ESV).

The ACA was enacted in 2010 primarily to close coverage gaps and expand insurance options for underserved populations. It introduced national standards for private insurance, established new marketplaces, and expanded Medicaid eligibility, thus offering coverage to many previously uninsured individuals (Hamel et al., 2014). Despite these benefits, the impact on healthcare costs has been mixed. Costs have risen considerably post-ACA, with insurance companies now spending 80-85% of their revenue on healthcare, compared to prior figures of 50-60% (Kantarjian, 2017). Additionally, federal subsidies for Medicare Advantage plans have decreased, affecting beneficiaries’ options (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015).

Many individuals enrolled under the ACA were unaware of the detailed terms, such as co-pays and deductibles, which complicates their understanding of coverage and out-of-pocket expenses (Huntoon, 2014). Consequently, while the ACA has achieved substantial coverage expansion, it has also introduced financial barriers that limit access for many Americans. The challenge now is to balance expanded coverage with affordability, ensuring that health insurance becomes a manageable expense for all populations.

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The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, represents a landmark moment in U.S. healthcare policy aimed at increasing health insurance coverage and reducing disparities. The core objectives of the ACA were to expand access to healthcare, improve the quality of care, and control costs. Although it succeeded in increasing coverage—particularly among young adults, low-income individuals, and those with pre-existing conditions—it has also faced significant scrutiny, especially regarding rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums.

One of the ACA’s achievements has been reducing the number of uninsured Americans. This was accomplished through mandates, the creation of health insurance exchanges, expanded Medicaid, and protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. According to Hamel et al. (2014), millions who previously lacked coverage gained access to insurance, significantly decreasing the uninsured population and improving preventive care. The ACA also mandated essential health benefits, established standards for private insurance, and prohibited denial based on health status, fostering greater equity.

Despite these positive impacts, the ACA's implementation has been complicated by unintended financial consequences. Healthcare costs have surged for many Americans, with premiums and deductibles rising sharply. Kantarjian (2017) notes that health insurance companies now allocate between 80-85% of their revenue toward healthcare services, a stark contrast to pre-ACA figures of 50-60%. This increase in administrative and healthcare costs indicates systemic inflation in healthcare pricing, which undermines affordability. Moreover, subsidies meant to buffer costs have decreased for certain plans like Medicare Advantage, further complicating coverage options for vulnerable populations (McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2015).

One of the issues with the ACA lies in consumer understanding. Many beneficiaries lack full knowledge of policy terms such as co-pays, deductibles, and premiums—an informational gap that hampers informed decision-making (Huntoon, 2014). This lack of clarity exacerbates financial hardship, especially as many plans feature high deductibles that deter utilization or lead to substantial out-of-pocket expenses, as experienced personally with pediatric visits. The financial burden is not uniformly distributed; a substantial number of low-income Americans still find healthcare costs prohibitive, despite coverage expansion.

Furthermore, the financial gains of insurance companies under the ACA raise questions about the true beneficiaries of this legislation. Critics argue that insurers and their executives may profit disproportionately, while policyholders and taxpayers bear the systemic cost increases. Moreover, penalties for non-coverage push individuals into insurance plans they cannot afford, highlighting disparities between policy intent and real-world outcomes.

From a moral and ethical perspective rooted in Christian values, equitable access to healthcare aligns with principles of justice and compassion. James 3:17 emphasizes wisdom derived from above, characterized by purity, peace, and fairness—a biblical reminder that healthcare systems should serve all equally and justly. The ACA’s moral foundation aims to promote such fairness, yet practical implementation often falls short, necessitating ongoing reform and oversight to achieve these ideals.

In conclusion, while the ACA has made significant strides in expanding coverage and establishing standards, its impact on healthcare costs remains a critical concern. The system’s rising costs threaten the sustainability of reforms and challenge the goal of affordable, accessible healthcare. Future policies should focus on transparency, regulation of insurance practices, and cost containment, aligning economic realities with moral imperatives for justice and charity as advocated by Christian teachings. Only through continuous evaluation and reform can the ACA or its successors truly realize their noble aspirations of equitable healthcare for all.

References

• Hamel, M.B., Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. T. (2014). Health Care coverage under the Affordable Care Act — a progress report. The New England Journal of Medicine, 371(3), 275-280.
• Huntoon, L. R. (2014). Obamacare: fraud, incompetence, confusion, and higher costs. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, 19(3), 66-70.
• Kantarjian, H. (2017). The rising costs of health care: Are we paying more for less? Harvard Medical School.
• McLaughlin, C., & McLaughlin, M. J. (2015). Health Policy Analysis (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• James 3:17, English Standard Version (ESV).
• How Has Obamacare Impacted Health Care Spending? (n.d.). Money. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://www.money.com/
• Hamel, M.B., Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. T. (2014). Ibid.
• Huntoon, L. R. (2014). Ibid.
• Kantarjian, H. (2017). Ibid.
• McLaughlin, C., & McLaughlin, M. J. (2015). Ibid.