What extent did the Affordable Care Act reduce the size of the uninsured population in the US and achieve improved health outcomes?

Asked by: Casey Durgan  |  Last update: October 19, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)

▶ Health Coverage and Uninsured Rates: The ACA reduced the size of the uninsured population by approximately 20 million people from 2010 to 2020, though some of this progress was reversed from 2017- 2019.

How does the Affordable Care Act help the uninsured?

The ACA sought to address the gaps in our health care system that left millions of people without health insurance by extending Medicaid coverage to many low-income individuals and providing subsidies for Marketplace coverage for individuals below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

Has the Affordable Care Act reduced the number of uninsured?

After coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect in 2014, California's uninsured rate declined substantially from 17% to about 7%, where it has held steady since 2016. California's decision to expand Medi-Cal to cover most low-income adults without children or a qualifying disability was ...

How has the Affordable Care Act improved or worsened the US healthcare system?

The ACA has made health insurance more accessible—particularly for women, people of color, and LGBTQ people. Its provisions, especially Medicaid expansion, have made insurance more affordable and have resulted in substantial gains in health coverage.

How did the Affordable Care Act change health care in the United States?

The ACA significantly changed the healthcare system in the U.S. by reducing the amount individuals and families paid in uncompensated care. The act requires every American to have health insurance and provides assistance to those who cannot afford a plan.

5 Things About The Affordable Care Act (ACA)

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Did the ACA improve health outcomes?

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.

How successful has the Affordable Care Act been?

More than 20 million people have gained coverage as a result of the ACA. It has dramatically reduced the uninsured rate.

What are the positive effects of the Affordable Care Act?

By expanding coverage, the ACA will expand access to needed medical care. Greater access to care as a result of being insured has been shown to reduce mortality, improve mental health, and improve self-reported health status.

What are the benefits of the Affordable Care Act?

The law has 3 primary goals:
  • Make affordable health insurance available to more people. ...
  • Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the FPL. ...
  • Support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.

What are some effects of the Affordable Care Act?

The ACA enabled people to gain coverage by 1) expanding the publicly funded Medicaid program to cover adults with annual incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level; 2) establishing the Health Insurance Marketplace for individuals and small businesses, allowing them to purchase private health insurance (PHI); and 3 ...

Why are people still uninsured after ACA?

A majority of the remaining uninsured population is in a family with at least one worker, and many uninsured workers continue to lack access to coverage through their job. Not all workers have access to health coverage through their jobs or can afford the coverage offered to them.

What were the ACA's approaches for reducing the number of uninsured?

The ACA uses two primary approaches to increase access to health insurance: It expands access to Medicaid, based solely on income, for those with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL), and creates eligibility for those with incomes from 139% to 400% FPL to apply for subsidies [in the form of advance ...

Did ACA improve healthcare access in America?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands access to health insurance in the United States, and, to date, an estimated 20 million previously uninsured individuals have gained coverage.

In which 3 ways did the Affordable Care Act affect individuals?

The law has 3 primary goals:
  • Make affordable health insurance available to more people. ...
  • Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the FPL. ...
  • Support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.

Who benefits most from the Affordable Care Act?

People with the lowest incomes tended to benefit the most from the law. That makes sense, given how the Affordable Care Act is designed. In states that expanded Medicaid, low-income people can get insurance without having to pay a premium.

Has the Affordable Care Act helped people?

The ACA has reduced the number of uninsured people to historically low levels and helped more people access health care services, especially low-income people and people of color.

What are the 10 essential benefits of the Affordable Care Act?

Essential health benefits ensure that health plans cover care that patients need
  • Ambulatory patient services (outpatient services)
  • Emergency services.
  • Hospitalization.
  • Maternity and newborn care.
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment.
  • Prescription drugs.

What are three benefits of the Affordable Care Act quizlet?

Match
  • extending insurance coverage to the uninsured/underinsured.
  • decreasing costs by improving efficiency.
  • expanding prevention and wellness programs (PH measures)
  • protecting against undue financial burdens on individuals as a result of healthcare expenditures.
  • improving patient safety and quality of care.

What are some benefits of the Affordable Care Act quizlet?

Increases benefits and lower costs for consumers, bolster our health care and public health workforce and infrastructure, foster innovation and quality in our system. Covers preventative care at no cost to you, protects your choice of doctors, removes insurance company barriers to emergency services.

What are some of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act quizlet?

Affordable Care Act Provisions Include:
  • Individual mandate.
  • health insurance reforms.
  • Essential Health benefits.
  • Affordable insurance exchanges.
  • Premium Credits to Eligible Individuals and Families.
  • Employer Requirements.
  • Premium Subsidiaries to Small Employers.
  • Early retirement reinsurance program.

Did the Affordable Care Act save lives?

We find a reduction in all-cause mortality in ages 20 to 64 equaling 11.36 deaths per 100,000 individuals, a 3.6 percent decrease. This estimate is largely driven by reductions in causes of death likely to be influenced by access to health care, and equates to one life saved per 310 newly covered individuals.

How many Americans benefited from the 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.

Did the Affordable Care Act 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.

How did the ACA attempt to improve access was it successful?

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. Finally, access seems to have diminished.