What is the unintended consequence of the Affordable Care Act?

Asked by: Conor Rosenbaum  |  Last update: October 17, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (68 votes)

Consolidation in the private health insurance market causes premiums to go up, with larger insurers often paying negotiated, lower prices to health care providers while charging more to employers and individual members.

What are the unintended consequences of Medicare?

Prior studies have demonstrated that health care related financial strain is common, particularly among low to middle-income Medicare beneficiaries and that higher copays and cost-sharing have led to rationing of a wide range of health services, particularly among low-income beneficiaries.

What is the biggest problem with the Affordable Care Act?

Impact on Individual Insurance

It was also known that consumers would face a very different health insurance world under the ACA, with some people seeing their premiums go down and some seeing them go up, and the majority of Americans seeing higher deductibles, higher copays, and a smaller pool of providers.

Which of the following was the intended consequence of the Affordable Care Act?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, more commonly known simply as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is intended to expand access to health insurance coverage primarily for those who fall through the cracks of the private and public insurance mechanisms in the United States.

What are the unintended consequences of the Affordable Care Act?

Consolidation in the private health insurance market causes premiums to go up, with larger insurers often paying negotiated, lower prices to health care providers while charging more to employers and individual members.

The Unintended Consequences of Obamacare in Rural America

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What is a controversial provision of the Affordable Care Act?

The heart of the ACA — and its most controversial provision — is the individual mandate. This provision requires individuals to obtain health insurance or pay the aforementioned penalty. The government advanced two primary theories supporting the individual mandate's constitutionality.

Why do people oppose the Affordable Care Act?

Despite these positive changes, a near majority of Americans still oppose the ACA, even though they approve of most of its features. They oppose the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance (the individual mandate), and they oppose a government role in health care.

Who benefits most from the Affordable Care Act?

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 does not benefit from the Affordable Care Act?

Individuals with incomes exceeding 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL; $46,680 for an individual, $95,400 for a family of four) are ineligible for either Medicaid or Marketplace tax credits. This group represents 16 percent of the ineligible, uninsured population. 2.

Is Obamacare good or bad for the economy?

The ACA's deficit-reducing effects will grow over time. CBO estimates that over the decade from 2023 through 2032, the ACA will reduce the deficit by an average of 0.5 percent of GDP each year, corresponding to total deficit reduction of nearly $1.6 trillion over that ten-year period.

What do Republicans believe about healthcare?

Republicans' alternative solution focuses on lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles – without adding to the crushing debt Washington has placed on our children and grandchildren.

What are 3 unintended consequences?

I mentioned above that there are 3 types of unintended consequences. They are unexpected benefits, unexpected drawbacks, and perverse results.

Is cost sharing good or bad?

In this study, both low and high levels of cost sharing, in comparison with no cost sharing, were associated with less use of medical care for minor symptoms. Cost sharing was also associated with lower rates of seeking care for serious symptoms, but only at the highest cost-sharing level.

What is the most common type of Medicare abuse?

Committing abuse is illegal and should be reported. Common types of abuse include: Billing for unnecessary services (services that are not medically necessary) Overcharging for services or supplies.

What is the downside to Obamacare?

The downside to Obamacare is that single people in their late twenties will most likely pay more for coverage to offset the cost of care for older people or those with chronic conditions.

Does the Affordable Care Act actually help?

Extensive research finds that people who gained coverage through the expansion have grown healthier and more financially secure, while long-standing racial inequities in health outcomes, coverage, and access to care have been reduced.

What are the major problems with the Affordable Care Act?

Press Releases
  • Obamacare has increased the cost of health care and health insurance. ...
  • Obamacare increases Americans' reliance on the federal government. … ...
  • On a per person basis, Obamacare is far more expensive than anticipated for taxpayers. ...
  • Obamacare's “expansion” is due in large part to improper Medicaid enrollments.

Why do Democrats support the Affordable Care Act?

Democrats believe that quality, affordable health care is a right – not a privilege – for every American.

How many times have Republicans tried to repeal Obamacare?

After the July 27, 2017 vote on the Health Care Freedom Act, Newsweek "found at least 70 Republican-led attempts to repeal, modify or otherwise curb the Affordable Care Act since its inception as law on March 23, 2010."

Why is the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional?

United States Department of Health and Human Services declared the law unconstitutional in an action brought by 26 states, on the grounds that the individual mandate to purchase insurance exceeds the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

Who is not eligible for Obamacare?

Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.

Who pays for the Affordable Care Act?

The federal government covers 90% of the cost of Medicaid expansion. Individual Mandate: The ACA also originally included an “individual mandate” or requirement for most people to maintain health insurance.