The Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Affordable Care Act

Whitnee West

Western Governors University

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or more commonly called Obamacare, became one of the most debated topics around. Prior to the law going into effect there were about 45 million Americans uninsured and with rising health care premiums this number is on the rise. Proponents of the health-care legislation have called it a “landmark legislation” making health care more affordable by reigning in the costs to the people and the economy. ACA will also bring health care coverage to uninsured Americans and unemployed Americans. Opponents

(What is Obamacare) ACA helps give health insurance to people who may otherwise not be able to afford it. Under ACA, your insurance company can no longer cut off benefits because you or your employer made a mistake on your insurance application. Before ACA, insurance companies could not only cancel your coverage because of such mistakes, but demand payment in full for any money paid out under the policy. Insurance companies can also no longer charge you more or refuse coverage for pre-existing conditions, despite being turned down in the

ACA prohibits discrimination against anyone with preexisting conditions, dropping coverage if you become sick, and limiting your annual or lifetime benefits. Millions of uninsured will get access to affordable high quality health insurance. In order to get money to insure uninsured, net taxes are placed mostly on high earners and the health care industry. (obamacarefacts)

The Affordable Care Act will help to improve the well-being and incomes of Americans by increasing coverage and lowering costs of health insurance, helping the rate of uninsured go down. (Aaron, Burtless, 2014)

Another argument against Obamacare for many is the law goes against the constitution. Many argue that the law goes too far by mandating Americans buy something they don’t want or need. Besides mandating that everyone have insurance or pay a tax the law also requires business to provide insurance coverage to allow access to contraceptives regardless of their religious beliefs. This has people arguing that Obamacare violates their first amendment rights.

So the big question remains, do the costs outweigh the benefits? While there are those who will still disagree, new study finds that the costs of complying with the President 's signature healthcare law far outweigh the coverage benefits it