On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that began implementation in 2010, with many other provisions taking effect since that time.
By expanding public and private insurance coverage, The Affordable Care Act (Links to an external site.) was designed to (1) increase the quality and affordability of health insurance and (2) decrease the number of uninsured people. These measures also aim to reduce the costs of healthcare for both individuals and the government.
The law provides government financial help (subsidies) for those who qualify, along with other measures that work to expand the number of people who have health insurance. It also creates new rules that insurers must follow, including covering people with pre-existing conditions and charging the same rates regardless of gender.
To get coverage under the Affordable Care Act, people will access a series of state exchanges that the federal and state governments have created across the country. These exchanges allow citizens to shop for and purchase health insurance.
The law does not impact people who receive health coverage from their employers. Rather, it was written specifically for Americans who are currently uninsured or who cannot afford the type of coverage they need.
How Is It Different From Government-Run Healthcare in Other Countries?
It is well documented that many countries, such as England and Canada, provide health care to their citizens. The Affordable Care Act does not mimic any of these countries' health care systems any more than the old U.S. system did (Links to an external site.).
For example, the Canadian government sponsors health insurance for all citizens. That coverage is provided by, and funded by, the government. In the U.S., only some citizens receive government-run, government-funded health coverage (via Medicaid). While the Affordable Care Act will increase the number of people using government-provided insurance, the law's primary function is giving more Americans access to private health care. The law therefore makes it easier and more affordable for them to purchase their insurance from private companies.
Often the term "universal healthcare" is used to describe the government-run and government-funded healthcare systems of other countries. (Beyond paying their taxes, citizens do not need to pay anything additional to receive healthcare. In that sense, it is "free.") In the United States, the Affordable Care Act shares some of the motivations of universal healthcare, but the law only guarantees availability of healthcare for all-citizens must enroll to receive the coverage and pay something for it, even if that cost is reduced by government financial assistance.
Discuss the following:
Take some time to review the information found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website @http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/timeline-text.html (Links to an external site.), then answer the discussion questions.
- Describe one of the provisions of the ACA that, in your opinion, is most significant. Explain why.
- Discuss pros and cons of the ACA.
Instructions
Post your primary response on the discussion board. Be sure to review your writing for grammar and spelling before posting. Read any postings already provided by your instructor or fellow students. Read and respond to the conclusions drawn by at least two of your classmates. You are also expected to read the responses to your original posts, and if a classmate raises a question or an issue that warrants a response, you are expected to respond.
Your responses to the discussion questions should relate the assigned readings and viewings to the discussion topic and should not consist only of personal opinion. Your opinion is important to the discussion, but it is important that you add connections to the material to support your views. Without a foundation in the literature, your opinion has little professional value. For example, "Based on Trevino and Nelson's stance that cultural relativism creates an environment where unethical behavior is justified through the cultural discourse (year, P#), the discussion should center around......" This type of statement allows you to connect your views to the literature. This is possible even when you are providing personal examples.
Use the subject line as an advanced organizer to allow your classmates and the instructor to have some idea of what your posting is about. For example, a subject line, "response to discussion question," is not appropriate. Your responses to fellow students should contain substance, should be more than just opinion, and must go beyond a simple agreement or disagreement.
Compose your work using a word processor and save it, as a Plain Text or an .rtf, to your computer. When you're ready to make your initial posting, please click "Reply" and paste the text from your document into the message field. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it.
- Other Notes: Do not forget the importance of the rubric. I look for depth in your answers and responses. These discussion question grades are important to your success in the course. Paying attention and putting the time in as we begin the process is important. Also, you are required to respond to other learners.