Affordable Care Act

Healthcare in the United States is an incredibly complex issue and a large portion of the nation’s economy. As healthcare costs continue to rise and burden the American family, something needed to be done to address not only the runaway costs but also the quality of care. Innovation and medical discoveries over the years have greatly improved care for patients, but numerous facets of the healthcare industry have been insufficiently addressed. Despite the proposals of various politicians, advocacy groups, and medical leaders across the country, little progress was made. March 23rd of 2010 marked a major milestone in American healthcare progress when President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.1 Although the purpose of this legislation is to change healthcare in a positive way, this law is certainly ambitious. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was put into place in order to increase access to affordable and quality insurance while also making coverage more secure.

According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, over 47 million Americans were uninsured in 2012.2 The exact number of Americans who do not have healthcare coverage is somewhat controversial as some believe this number includes illegal immigrants and those who are able to afford coverage, but simply choose not to purchase a plan. Despite the controversy, the majority of the uninsured come from working families of low with low income levels. Americans living without health coverage has been a major problem in this country as these people do not receive proper treatments and preventative therapies they require. The lack of insurance ultimately leads to a lower quality of life and further increases costs in the l...

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...re as a way of providing affordable coverage and peace of mind to Americans. One aspect of the law which gives peace of mind to many parents across the country is language regarding pre-existing conditions for children. Prior to the reform law, children could be denied coverage under their parents’ plan based on pre-existing conditions. Obamacare made limits and benefit denials to these patient illegal.

Young adults, specifically those under the age of twenty-six are now able to remain on their parents’ insurance. Prior to the law this was not always the case. However, with young adults attending college at higher rates and with fewer able to find full-time gainful employment, this is a great benefit for the young adults of America. Individuals under twenty-six may retain their coverage even if they get married or are eligible for insurance through their employer.5