The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, has been a cornerstone of our health care system for almost a decade. It was intended to rein in rising healthcare costs and enhance medical quality for Americans.
The law has many benefits that are essential to many people’s lives. But what would happen if it were repealed?
Pre-existing conditions
The Affordable Care Act eliminated discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, so your health insurance won’t be denied just because of a medical issue. Furthermore, the ACA required insurers to cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs and maternity care.
Some conditions are obvious, such as asthma or cancer; however, others are more prevalent like endometriosis or high blood pressure. And some can be less noticeable like an eating disorder or history of alcohol abuse.
Coverage for children
Children with special needs often face an uphill battle when it comes to finding coverage for medical equipment, services that enable them to live at home, or regular therapy to manage illnesses and conditions that most private insurance plans don’t cover. When children don’t have access to traditional coverage options like wheelchairs and power tools, finding solutions that fit into existing budgets can be daunting.
Many children rely on Medicaid and CHIP for access to essential health care. These programs enhance both their physical wellbeing and family’s financial security.
But if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, millions of children could be left without essential services and supports. Furthermore, their costs would likely increase due to new per capita caps and block grant options implemented under AHCA.
These proposals would roll back years of progress in child health coverage, taking the country backwards and endangering millions of children’s access to health care. This could result in more uninsured children, reduced benefits for them, and fewer options for developmentally appropriate care throughout their lives.
Coverage for pregnant women
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance plans must provide coverage for pregnancy, labor, delivery and newborn care – commonly referred to as maternity insurance. This coverage is one of 10 essential benefits that all ACA-compliant plans must offer.
Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but also a complex and costly endeavor. You may need to pay for various medical tests, ultrasounds, and doctor visits throughout your pregnancy.
Before becoming pregnant, you should consult with your health insurance provider to determine which services are covered and how much out-of-pocket expense you will have to pay. It’s wise to shop around for the best coverage before becoming pregnant so that you get the appropriate policy that meets all of your requirements.
Based on your income, you may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can enroll in these programs year-round to secure coverage for yourself and any dependent children.
Coverage for people with diabetes
The Affordable Care Act has had a profound effect on millions of lives affected by diabetes and other chronic illnesses, but it also presents some challenges.
One major obstacle has been Washington’s demands that all insurance plans meet or exceed certain benefits standards. As a result, ACA plans have become more expensive and only appealing to those eligible for large taxpayer subsidies.
Additionally, these policies have encouraged many people with diabetes to wait until they require medical care before purchasing coverage. This presents a serious problem because it could prevent individuals from receiving the regular preventive care necessary to keep their condition under control.
In the event that the Affordable Care Act is repealed, many people with diabetes could no longer access health care they require. This could reduce access to treatments and drastically lower quality of life for these individuals; additionally, it could cause more health complications as well as higher costs for both governments and patients alike.
