Stacey Hansel  TuesdayDec 12 at 4:46pm Health policies have been a topic of disc

Stacey Hansel 
TuesdayDec 12 at 4:46pm
Health policies have been a topic of discussion since the 1930s, being on many presidential agendas, and will probably continue to be a topic for years. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obama Care, is a healthcare reform law aimed at expanding healthcare coverage, controlling healthcare costs, and improving the overall quality of care in the United States (Rosenbaum, 2011). The ACA included provisions like Medicare expansion, health insurance marketplaces, subsidies for low and middle-income families, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions (Rosenbaum, 2011). It has significantly impacted healthcare access for millions of Americans since its enactment in 2010.
Some of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act were the implementation of the patient’s rights charter, broadened insurance for minors, ensured emergency services even out-of-network, extended coverage under a parent’s plan up to age 26, and allowed contesting denials of payments (Collins & Saylor, 2018). Extending the age for those children covered under their parents’ insurance was a great boon. This allowed them to get affordable healthcare while they were enrolled in college. Another benefit of the Affordable Care Act is that it helped a lot of Americans by allowing them access to health insurance (Shi & Singh, 2023). Many people do not seek treatment without health insurance due to the cost, causing them to wait too long, ultimately costing themselves and the hospitals more money. Another benefit of the Affordable Care Act is its improvements for Medicare recipients. By expanding Medicaid and creating marketplaces, the ACA sought to provide coverage to more Americans who were previously uninsured or underinsured (Shi & Singh, 2023). The ACA has introduced diverse changes to the American healthcare system, resulting in certain advantages, including expanded insurance coverage for vulnerable groups and increased utilization of information technology. However, it has not realized the effects on cost control and enhancing healthcare quality as initially anticipated (Shi & Singh, 2023).
Some of the disadvantages of the Affordable Care Act come with the way we are “paying for the reforms, the ACA taxed medical devices, and high-benefit plans while decreasing Medicare spending” (Gostin et al., 2017). The most significant disadvantage comes with reducing Medicare spending. Medicare is used widely by the older population. Because the reimbursement rate has been cut and the increased time our aging population requires from hospitals and doctors, many hospitals and doctors are backing away from older adults. This causes an impact on their care. Furthermore, the ACA faced political opposition and ongoing legal challenges, leading to changes in specific provisions and uncertainty surrounding its future.
Ultimately, the ACA made progress toward its goals, but its full impact and effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate and implementation challenges. The next decade will witness significant demographic shifts, including an aging population and evolving healthcare needs (Schiavone & Ferretti, 2021). This will require the healthcare system to adapt by reorganizing how services are provided and delivered (Schiavone & Ferretti, 2021). Meeting the demand for healthcare services while accommodating the changing demographics will involve innovative approaches, technology integration, and a focus on preventive care to ensure effective and sustainable healthcare delivery (Schiavone & Ferretti, 2021).
Everyone deserves the same care regardless of their status. Equality in healthcare is fundamental irrespective of a person’s status, background, or income. One verse in particular that comes to mind emphasizes the importance of caring for others and promoting equality in helping those in need. “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me” (New King James Version, 2013, Matthew 25:35-36). This verse speaks to the broader concept of caring for others in need, which extends to healthcare as part of ensuring the well-being of individuals. The Bible encourages compassion, kindness, and attending to the needs of others, including those who are sick or in need of medical care.
References
Collins, B. L., & Saylor, J. (2018). The Affordable Care Act: 8 years later. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 49(8), 42–48. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.0000538917.37912.d4
Gostin, L. O., Hyman, D. A., & Jacobson, P. D. (2017). The affordable care act moving forward in the coming years. American Medical Association, 317, 19–20.
New King James Version. (2013). New King James Bible. Holman Bible Published.
Rosenbaum, S. (2011). The patient protection and affordable care act: implications for public health policy and practice. Public Health Reports, 126(1), 130–135. https://doi.org/10.1177/003335491112600118
Schiavone, F., & Ferretti, M. (2021). The futureS of healthcare. Futures, 134, 102849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102849
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2023). Essentials of the U.S health care system(6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.