How well has Obamacare worked?

Asked by: Colton Fahey  |  Last update: April 4, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (2 votes)

More than 20 million people have gained coverage as a result of the ACA. It has dramatically reduced the uninsured rate. On the day President Obama signed the ACA, 16 percent of Americans were uninsured; in March 2020, it was nine percent.

Why was Obamacare a failure?

It largely failed. Health insurance markets are only afloat because of massive federal subsidies and premiums and out-of-pocket obligations significantly increased for families. While the ACA has led to about 13 million more people with Medicaid, many more have been harmed.

Who actually benefited from Obamacare?

More than 20 million Americans gained health insurance under the ACA. Black Americans, children and small-business owners have especially benefited. Thirty-seven states have expanded Medicaid, deepening their pool of eligible residents to those who live at or below 138% of the federal poverty level.

Did Obamacare Help America?

Since Obamacare was passed, studies have found the law led to a rise in early cancer diagnoses, improved rates of treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, and better self-reported health.

What went wrong with the Affordable Care Act?

The Problem: Affordability

The ACA set standards for “affordability,” but millions remain uninsured or underinsured due to high costs, even with subsidies potentially available. High deductibles and increases in consumer cost sharing have chipped away at the affordability of ACA-compliant plans.

Here's Why the Affordable Care Act Is So Controversial | History

19 related questions found

Why do doctors not like Obamacare?

Dr. Richard Amerling, a New York City physician who is president of the AAPS, said Obamacare has set up a “bad business model” for private physicians. Doctors, he said, can't adjust their rates to keep up with expenses. In addition, electronic record keeping is a burden both in terms of cost and time.

What is Trumpcare health?

What Is Trumpcare? Trumpcare is the moniker given to the American Health Care Act (ACHA), the bill that was designed to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) put in place by former President Obama. The ACHA was drafted by President Trump's Republican party and championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Has Obamacare helped or hurt?

Indisputably, yes. More than 20 million people have gained coverage as a result of the ACA. It has dramatically reduced the uninsured rate. On the day President Obama signed the ACA, 16 percent of Americans were uninsured; in March 2020, it was nine percent.

Who suffered the most from Obamacare?

Low-income, privately insured people had the worst results in the analysis, seeing no benefit from the ACA: They had the highest rate of catastrophic health care spending before the law passed in 2010 and continued to have it in 2017: 35% compared with 8% for people on Medicaid.

Why Obamacare is good for the economy?

In reviewing evidence over the past five years, this report concludes that the ACA has had no net negative economic impact and, in fact, has likely helped to stimulate growth by contributing to the slower rise in health care costs.

Has the ACA improved the quality of care?

Conclusion. The ACA has helped millions of Americans gain insurance coverage, saved thousands of lives, and strengthened the health care system. The law has been life-changing for people who were previously uninsured, have lower incomes, or have preexisting conditions, among other groups.

How much does the Affordable Care Act cost taxpayers?

According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, about 73 million taxpayers earning less than $200,000 will see their taxes rise as a result of various Obamacare provisions. The CBO originally estimated that Obamacare would cost $940 billion over ten years. That cost has now been increased to $1.683 trillion.

Is ObamaCare free?

ObamaCare is Free

ObamaCare is a law that requires compulsory or mandatory insurance – not healthcare. We are all required to buy insurance that is subsidized by our employers and/or possibly the government. Employers are only required to pay up to 60% of the cost of insurance premiums.

Has the number of uninsured decreased since Obamacare?

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have experienced reductions in their uninsured rates since the implementation of the ACA, with states that expanded Medicaid experiencing the largest reduction in their uninsured rate. California, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and West Virginia have ...

What is difference between Obamacare and TrumpCare?

TrumpCare cuts most taxes on industry. This includes the 3.8% tax on high earners. ObamaCare taxes those who profit the most off of healthcare. Older Americans can be charged 5x more than young people under TrumpCare.

Is TrumpCare passed?

The American Health Care Act of 2017 (often shortened to the AHCA or nicknamed Trumpcare) was a bill in the 115th United States Congress. The bill, which was passed by the United States House of Representatives but not by the United States Senate, would have partially repealed the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Is Obamacare the same as the Affordable Care Act?

Yes, Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are the same thing. The health care reform law was nicknamed after President Barack Obama, who formally signed the ACA in March 2010. “Obamacare” and the “Affordable Care Act” are synonymous terms that can be used interchangeably.

What do physicians think of the ACA?

The ACA is least favorable among physicians in private practice — only 20 percent view the law favorably — followed by group-practice physicians (26 percent), and hospital-based physicians (35 percent). The ACA provides greater access to healthcare but at higher costs.

What happens if you can't afford healthcare in America?

Without health insurance coverage, a serious accident or a health issue that results in emergency care and/or an expensive treatment plan can result in poor credit or even bankruptcy.

How many US citizens are uninsured?

Uninsured people

In 2020, 31.6 million (9.7%) people of all ages were uninsured at the time of the interview (Table 1). This includes 31.2 million (11.5%) people under age 65. Among children, 3.7 million (5.0%) were uninsured, and among working- age adults, 27.5 million (13.9%) were uninsured (Figure 1).

Does Obamacare still exist 2022?

New subsidies, lower premiums

All of that is still in effect for 2022, so people who are shopping now will tend to see larger subsidies than they saw during last fall's open enrollment period.” The new law expands subsidies to ensure that no family spends more than 8.5 percent of their income on a benchmark plan.

Did Obamacare save money?

Several recent studies have examined whether these programs saved money. The answer appears to be that, at best, the cost reductions are modest, with estimated savings of 1 to 4-plus percent in Medicare spending and with most cost saving attenuated by shared savings bonuses paid to providers.

Who paid for Obamacare?

Under the ACA, the federal government pays 100 percent of the coverage costs for those newly insured under Medicaid expansion. After 2016, the federal share shrinks to 90 percent, which is still considerably more than the pre-ACA level.

Who pays Obama care tax?

The Medicare Tax Only Affects High Income Taxpayers

If you're single, you must pay the tax only if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is over $200,000. Married taxpayers filing jointly must have an AGI over $250,000 to be subject to the tax. Your adjusted gross income is the number on the bottom of your IRS Form 1040.

Did ACA improve healthcare access in America?

Today's report shows the important role the ACA has played in providing coverage to millions of Americans nationwide. The report also shows that between 2010 and 2016, the number of nonelderly uninsured adults decreased by 41 percent, falling from 48.2 million to 28.2 million.