What was the argument against the ACA?

Asked by: Mohammad Harvey  |  Last update: September 28, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (4 votes)

Cost-Sharing and Premiums The ACA requires people to buy a richer benefit package. It is possible to argue that this policy is good for society, but there is no free lunch, and this does eliminate choices that were acceptable to many consumers.

What are the major arguments against 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.

Why was the ACA challenged?

At stake in California was the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA's) requirement for individuals to maintain health insurance (known as the “individual mandate”) and the continued validity of the remainder of the comprehensive Act.

What is a controversial provision of the Affordable Care Act?

Individual mandate. The most legally and politically controversial aspect of the ACA, the individual mandate requires Americans to purchase health insurance or face a government penalty, with some exceptions—particularly for low-income individuals who cannot afford to buy insurance [3].

What are ethical issues with the Affordable Care Act?

The recently enacted Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 has fueled ethical debate of several important controversial topics. Ethical issues of health care reform include moral foundations, cost containment, public health, access to care, ED crowding, and end-of-life issues.

Attorney outlines case against the Affordable Care Act

18 related questions found

What is the moral hazard of the Affordable Care Act?

In the context of health insurance, the term “moral hazard” is used to capture the idea that insurance coverage, by lowering the marginal cost of care to the individual (commonly referred to as the out-of-pocket cost), may increase healthcare use.

What is the problem that the Affordable Care Act is trying to solve?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has 3 main objectives: (1) to reform the private insurance market—especially for individuals and small-group purchasers, (2) to expand Medicaid to the working poor with income up to 133% of the federal poverty level, and (3) to change the way that medical decisions ...

What criteria do some critics use to argue against the Affordable Care Act?

The criteria some critics use to argue against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) include its acceptance and management of generic drugs to reduce costs, the effectiveness of multi-payer systems, perceptions of the ACA as a socialist program due to its resource pooling and redistribution mechanisms, and debates over the ...

Why do people oppose universal healthcare?

One of the problems opponents see with single-payer healthcare is the control of services by the government and the likelihood that budget restraints would reduce individual choice in health care decisions.

What is the most controversial provision in the Affordable Care Act that has led to Supreme Court challenges?

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 Democrats support ACA?

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

What did the ACA actually do?

Under the Affordable Care Act, patients who may have been uninsured due to preexisting conditions or limited finances can secure affordable health plans through the health insurance marketplace in their state.

What has been strongly challenged under the ACA?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, the aspect that has faced significant challenge is the mandatory purchase of health insurance, hence the correct option is D).

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."

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.

Why did universal healthcare fail in the US?

Opposition from doctors, labor, insurance companies, and business contributed to the failure of Progressives to achieve compulsory national health insurance. In addition, the inclusion of the funeral benefit was a tactical error since it threatened the gigantic structure of the commercial life insurance industry.

What country has the best healthcare?

According to the 2024 Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the best healthcare systems, though the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.

Do doctors like universal healthcare?

The American College of Physicians says that the United States needs a healthcare system that provides care for everyone, either through a universal health insurance system, such as the UK NHS, or through a pluralistic system that involves the government and private organisations.

Why are people against Affordable Care Act?

Obamacare has increased the cost of health care and health insurance. The ACA's federal mandates and spending, including Medicaid expansion and subsidized individual plans, have drastically increased the cost of health care and health insurance. 2. Obamacare increases Americans' reliance on the federal government. …

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.

What was healthcare like before Obamacare?

Prior to the ACA, high rates of uninsurance were prevalent due to unaffordability and exclusions based on preexisting conditions. Additionally, some insured people faced extremely high out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and coverage limits. The ACA aimed to address these issues, though it did not eliminate all of them.

Who is the largest purchaser of health insurance in the United States?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the single largest payer for health care in the United States.

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.