Is the Affordable Care Act a good thing?

Asked by: Leola Schumm  |  Last update: February 26, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (32 votes)

Benefits of the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act has both increased the number of insured Americans and improved the coverage offered by health insurance companies. Millions of previously uninsured Americans have been able to obtain health insurance because of the ACA.

Why is the Affordable Care Act good?

The ACA helps cut high U.S. health care costs.

In addition to increasing insurance coverage, the Affordable Care Act makes investments in programs designed to reduce the cost and improve the quality of health care.

Why is the Affordable Care Act not good?

The ACA has been highly controversial, despite the positive outcomes. Conservatives objected to the tax increases and higher insurance premiums needed to pay for Obamacare. Some people in the healthcare industry are critical of the additional workload and costs placed on medical providers.

Is the Affordable Care Act successful?

Since its enactment on March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act has led to an historic advancement of health equity in the United States. This landmark law improved the health of all Americans, including women and families, kids, older adults, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ and communities of color.

Who really benefits from the Affordable Care Act?

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.

Is Obamacare Working? The Affordable Care Act Five Years Later

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How many people benefited from Affordable Care Act?

New Reports Show Record 35 Million People Enrolled in Coverage Related to the Affordable Care Act, with Historic 21 Million People Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion Coverage.

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.

What are the cons of the Affordable Care Act?

Cons:
  • The cost has not decreased for everyone. Those who do not qualify for subsidies may find marketplace health insurance plans unaffordable. ...
  • Loss of company-sponsored health plans. ...
  • Tax penalties. ...
  • Shrinking networks. ...
  • Shopping for coverage can be complicated.

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.

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.

Did Obamacare raise taxes?

It's been estimated that the ACA will raise taxes by $813 billion over 10 years. Over 12 of these new taxes will be on families making less than $250,000 a year.

Did Obamacare help 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. Support for this research was provided by The Commonwealth Fund.

What did Obamacare do to the economy?

Based solely on recent economic growth, the ACA has subtracted $250 billion from GDP. At that pace, the cumulative loss by the end of the decade will exceed $1.2 trillion. Lost growth in work hours per person has removed the equivalent of 800,000 full-time jobs from the economy.

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 much is Obamacare monthly?

On average, an Obamacare marketplace insurance plan will have a monthly premium of $328 to $482. This cost is before Premium Tax Credits have been applied, which people can receive if they are between 139-400% of the Federal Poverty Levels.

What is the Affordable Care Act for dummies?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive reform law, enacted in 2010, that increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and implements reforms to the health insurance market. This includes many provisions that are consistent with AMA policy and holds the potential for a better health care system.

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.

What percentage of the population is on Obamacare?

In 2016, 9 in 10 Americans had health insurance, thanks to the Affordable Care Act—in fact, the numbers reached 91.5% of Americans by 2018.

Has Obamacare improved health outcomes?

Better Health Outcomes, Including Fewer Premature Deaths

Medicaid expansion saved the lives of at least 19,200 adults aged 55 to 64 between 2014 and 2017, a landmark study finds.

How did the ACA affect the middle class?

While median family income for those in the affected income brackets increased by 3.5% from 2015 to 2019, the lowest available premiums surged between nearly 50% and 59%. The burden also shifted based on how much the family earned.

How does Obamacare affect American families?

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.

Who has to pay the 3.8 Obamacare tax?

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, individual taxpayers are liable for a 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax on the lesser of their net investment income, or the amount by which their modified adjusted gross income exceeds the statutory threshold amount based on their filing status.

Does Obamacare tax still exist?

Key Takeaways. The Affordable Care Act brought changes to the healthcare industry as well as 21 new tax provisions. Some of these provisions have been suspended or repealed through legislation, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the CARES Act.

How did Obamacare work?

When you enroll in a health insurance plan, you typically pay a monthly premium to keep that plan. Obamacare includes subsidies to help lower income individuals cover the cost of their plans. These subsidies, also known as tax credits, are still in effect in 2021.

Why is affordable healthcare so expensive?

The price of medical care is the single biggest factor behind U.S. healthcare costs, accounting for 90% of spending. These expenditures reflect the cost of caring for those with chronic or long-term medical conditions, an aging population and the increased cost of new medicines, procedures and technologies.