The Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, has made health insurance more accessible and encouraged medical care delivery that reduces costs and enhances quality.
However, there is a trade-off between promoting quality and preventing insurers from denying coverage or charging high premiums to sick patients. Economists Michael Geruso, Timothy Layton, and Daniel Prinz have examined this issue and discovered that Obamacare’s preexisting conditions provisions are actually making coverage worse and decreasing enrollees’ access to quality healthcare services.
1. More people are insured.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 35 million people are now insured under Obamacare, helping bring America’s uninsured rate down near historic lows.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance programs provide subsidies to lower-income individuals to purchase coverage. This is accomplished by creating state-based exchanges where people can shop and purchase policies.
2. More people have access to care.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid coverage to millions of low-income people and created the individual health insurance exchanges. These policies have contributed to decreasing costs and increasing access.
Unfortunately, some Americans may experience difficulty enrolling in coverage due to poverty or unfamiliarity with health care laws. Despite these obstacles, ACA enrollment has seen a steady rise since its launch. Those who qualify for Marketplace plans or Medicaid will receive federal subsidies that help offset costs.
3. More people have access to preventive care.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most health insurance plans must cover preventive services without cost sharing for beneficiaries. This allows them to receive contraception, cancer screenings, and other recommended services at no additional cost.
Preventive care is critical for avoiding disease, maintaining good health, and saving money in the long run. It’s especially essential for those living with chronic conditions who may require additional treatments in the future when their condition becomes more serious and costly.
4. More people have access to prescription drugs.
Prescription drugs provide numerous health advantages, such as reducing hospitalizations and improving quality of life. Unfortunately, their high prices make it difficult for many people to afford essential medicines.
The Affordable Care Act protects people by making it more affordable to get health coverage. It also requires insurance companies to offer more budget-friendly plans, including allowing those under 26 years old to remain on their parents’ plan until age 26.
5. More people have access to mental health care.
Before Obamacare, many people living with mental health conditions could not access the care they needed due to lack of insurance. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more people now have access to mental health coverage than ever before.
In both individual and small group markets, the Affordable Care Act has abolished medical underwriting – meaning plans cannot longer deny coverage or impose cost barriers due to preexisting conditions. Furthermore, they must meet provider network adequacy standards.
6. More people have access to dental care.
In many American states, dental care is included as part of the Medicaid benefit package. Unfortunately, low payment rates make it difficult for people to afford necessary treatments.
Cost is typically the main deterrent to seeking dental care, regardless of age, income or source of coverage. For adults with Medicaid coverage this trend is even more prevalent than among those with private insurance.
7. More people have access to preventive care.
Since Obamacare became law, millions more people have gained access to preventive healthcare. This includes women’s reproductive health services like well-woman visits and mammograms as well as screenings for cancer, heart disease, and mental illness.
However, a recent Texas court ruling could take away this crucial protection for patients. This could cause many to put off or neglect seeking preventive services that could help them avoid serious illnesses.
8. More people have access to mental health care.
Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded coverage for mental health treatment, many people still face difficulty accessing it. These include those living in areas with a shortage of providers as well as those who are uninsured or underinsured.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) addressed these barriers by pairing coverage expansions with parity protections for individual and small-group plans, as well as requiring those plans to meet provider network adequacy standards.
9. More people have access to preventive care.
The Affordable Care Act has enabled millions of Americans to access preventive health services like cancer screenings, high blood pressure checks and diabetes treatments at low costs. By doing so, you can potentially avoid costly and debilitating healthcare in later life.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also safeguards women against discrimination by health insurance companies, such as gender rating and preexisting condition discrimination. It requires plans to include maternity coverage and makes key preventive services like breastfeeding support and annual well-woman visits available without cost sharing.
10. More people have access to dental care.
Dental care is an integral part of overall health, and lack of access can have detrimental effects on oral hygiene. Thankfully, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more people now have access to quality dental services.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) extended Medicaid coverage to low-income adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level and included pediatric dental coverage among its ten essential health benefits. Furthermore, young adults were allowed to remain on their parent’s insurance until age 26, which has significantly increased young adult dental coverage.
