The Affordable Care Act was a groundbreaking moment in regards to healthcare legislation reform. Its goal was to decrease overall healthcare expenditures as an insurance mandate required more people to be paying premiums, which helped offset the healthcare costs of the sicker population. In addition, middle class families were provided subsidies to purchase higher quality insurance. Those who chose not to purchase insurance were given a tax penalty, however this was repealed in 2019. Another important factor of the ACA was the creation of an insurance exchange; an online market allowing consumers to compare and purchase health insurance plans.
Since the ACA was passed, the healthcare landscape has changed significantly. A larger emphasis is now placed on quality and preventative care. While some of the regulations within the ACA are no longer in place, many states have taken note of the increased emphasis on primary/preventative care and made that a point of emphasis within their own healthcare plans. Several states have passed legislation, or are working towards legislation that reallocates healthcare spending to primary care, with the intention of providing higher quality care.
Title | Source | Date |
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Employers jump into providing care as health costs rise | Associated Press | September 30, 2018 |
Engaging Health Care Consumers: The Lowe’s Experience | February 18, 2015 | |
ER visits still rising despite ACA | Modern Healthcare | January 17, 2015 |
Experiment in Oregon Gives Medicaid Very Local Roots | New York Times | April 12, 2013 |
FAQ: What’s In The House’s Proposal To Fix Medicare’s Payments To Doctors | Kaiser Health News | March 23, 2015 |
For their first year, ACOs see varied scores in quality measures | Modern Healthcare | September 26, 2014 |
From Clinics to Child Insurance, Budget Deal Affects Health Care | February 8, 2018 | |
GOP leaders unveil new ACA replacement plan, divisions remain | Associated Press | February 17, 2017 |
Health Care Industry Branches Into Fresh Meals, Rides to Gym | July 23, 2018 | |
Health Care Tops Guns, Economy As Voters’ Top Issue | Kaiser Health News | October 18, 2018 |