Essay On Obamacare

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Introduction Obamacare, otherwise known as the ACA (Aaffordable Ccare Aact), will significantly change major aspects of theour health care system here in America. Without a doubt, our current system has its issues, especially the costs related to health insurance and medical care were rising far too quickly (Pattron, 2013). Some may believe chainsaws have been called in to fix issues that could possibly be fixed with a mere scalpel. In spite of everything, typically, our health care system contained many more strengths than weaknesses. Considering the number of patients that have come from various countries to seek medical care in the U.S., the entire world sincerely agrees. However, despite the many strengths, changes have and will arrive that will affect all who seek medical care in the U.S. Pre-Existing Conditions One of Obamacare's main selling points during the health care reform debate was the need to establish insurance coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Beginning 2014, Obamacare will implement a policy called "guaranteed issue" which prohibits insurance providers from excluding individuals with pre-existing medical conditions from coverage (Senger, 2013). Because this may cause incentive for people to wait until they become ill to perchance purchase insurance, Obamacare includes the "disliked individual" mandate which forces all Americans to purchase health insurance or face a penalty. Considering 1 out of every 2 Americans have a health condition that qualifies as a pre-existing condition, Obamacare doing away with pre-existing conditions is a huge deal. Previously Prior to 2014, the law established a pre-existing conditions insurance plan (PCIP) with the purpose of funding new high-risk pools in each state, ... ... middle of paper ... ...sehold income minus the first $10,150 for a single person or $20,300 for a married couple who file jointly. (Young, 2014). There are however, limits to how much anyone could ever pay. The penalty is capped at the national average annual price for a "bronze" health insurance plan on the Obamacare exchanges which is the lowest-level plan available. The IRS has yet to calculate what this amount will account to, but the Tax Policy Center estimates that it will be $3,600 for a single person and $11,000 for a family of four (Young, 2014). The penalties will grow larger starting next year and will be $695 or 2.5 percent of income in 2016 (Young, 2014). For those who can afford coverage but decide not to so will see how expensive it can become. While paying the penalties may be cheaper, you get nothing in return and are still responsible for paying your own medical expenses

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