Was Obamacare a good thing?

Asked by: Evert Zieme  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (66 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.

Did Obamacare help or hurt?

Millions of Americans have benefitted by receiving insurance coverage through the ACA. Many of these people were unemployed or had low-paying jobs. ... 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.

What are the negatives of Obamacare?

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.

Was Obamacare a failure?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, was principally intended to improve health insurance markets for individuals and small businesses, lower health costs, and increase the number of people with insurance. ... It largely failed.

Is Obamacare bad for the economy?

To date, there is no evidence that the ACA has had a negative impact on economic growth or jobs or that its reforms have undermined full-time employment—effects that the law's opponents had warned about.

Is Obamacare Working? The Affordable Care Act Five Years Later

20 related questions found

Why do doctors not like Obamacare?

Valenti said this provision is the main reason two-thirds of doctors don't accept ACA plans. “No one wants to work and have somebody take back their paycheck,” he said. ... Orient predicts under Obamacare that healthcare quality will decline and consumers will have to pay higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

How much is Obamacare per month?

The cost of Obamacare can vary greatly depending on the type of plan you are looking for and what state you currently live in. On average, an Obamacare marketplace insurance plan will have a monthly premium of $328 to $482.

Who 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.

What did Obamacare accomplish?

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.

Why is Obamacare important?

Prevention and wellness: The ACA's emphasis on prevention requires insurance plans to cover many preventive, wellness, and chronic disease visits and screenings, with no out-of-pocket costs. This helps prevent or diagnose health problems before they develop into costly emergencies.

What is the difference between TrumpCare and Obamacare?

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 Obamacare still a thing?

Is Obamacare still in effect? Yes, the Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare) is still in effect.

Is Obamacare good for middle class?

The simple fact is: as premiums increase, so do the subsidies for income-eligible people, as the middle class bears the burden. The only good news for the middle class is that as premiums increase, Obamacare insurance is defined as “unaffordable” for more and more middle class individuals and families.

What is Trumpcare?

Trumpcare is the name given to President Trump's proposed health care plan, formally called the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Below are some things to know about the proposed health insurance legislation at the time.

Who pays for the Affordable Care Act?

Under the ACA, the federal government pays 100 percent of the coverage costs for those newly insured under Medicaid expansion.

Did Obamacare improve healthcare?

The ACA is the most consequential and comprehensive health care reform enacted since Medicare. The ACA has gained a net increase in the number of individuals with insurance, primarily through Medicaid expansion. The reduction in costs is an arguable achievement, while quality of care has seemingly not improved.

Has Obamacare improved health outcomes?

Increased Health Coverage

While all states saw coverage gains after the ACA's major coverage provisions took effect in 2014, expansion states saw much larger drops in uninsured rates for low-income people. Medicaid expansion has been especially critical for expanding coverage to those with opioid-use disorders.

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.

Who did Obamacare help the most?

The biggest winners from the law include people between the ages of 18 and 34; blacks; Hispanics; and people who live in rural areas.

Who did Obamacare target?

The original intention of the ACA was to cover any individual under the age of 65 who earns at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) through an expansion of state-sponsored Medicaid programs. For the first time, low-income individuals who do not have children were to also qualify for Medicaid.

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.

How much is ObamaCare for a single person?

The average monthly non-subsidized health insurance premium for one person on a benchmark plan (i.e., “Silver” plan) was $450 per month in 2021. Monthly premiums for ACA Marketplace plans vary by state and can be reduced by subsidies. Actual cost varies based on your age, location, and health plan selection.

What is the minimum income to qualify for ObamaCare?

According to Covered California income guidelines and salary restrictions, if an individual makes less than $47,520 per year or if a family of four earns wages less than $97,200 per year, then they qualify for government assistance based on their income.

Can hospitals refuse Obamacare?

In most states, doctors can choose not to participate in the networks offered in the marketplaces, also known as exchanges, created by the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature health care law. Then again, they can choose not to participate in any other type of health insurance plan as well.