Affordable Care Act of 2010
1. Discuss the Affordable Care Act of 2010 and explain how it attempts to improve quality, reduce cost, and increase access. In your post, include strategies and how to gain support from various stakeholders and improve community acceptance. Also, research and share the act’s impact on community health in your geographic area to date.
2. Discuss how you will use what you have learned in this course in your personal and professional life. Include a discussion on potential financial impacts as it relates to your topic. You may discuss any course content that you examined this quarter.
Sample Solution
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was introduced in the United States to improve health care access and quality while reducing costs. The ACA attempted to increase access through a number of strategies, including expanding eligibility for Medicaid and providing subsidies for those who purchase insurance on the individual market. Additionally, it introduced various reforms such as increasing consumer protections, establishing marketplaces for private insurance plans, and promoting preventive care services (White House 2020).In order to gain support from stakeholders, the ACA provided incentives such as tax credits for small businesses offering health coverage and grants for states transitioning their Medicaid program to meet the new requirements set out by the law. It also helped ensure community acceptance through its provision of education materials about available benefits and resources so that individuals could make informed decisions about their health options.
The impact of the ACA on community health in my state has been positive as more people have gained access to affordable healthcare than before due to an expansion in Medicaid eligibility rules (Knoxville News Sentinel 2021).Furthermore ,the introduction of no-cost preventive services like annual checkups allowed individuals with low income or pre-existing conditions receive regular medical care without having large co-pays or deductibles.(Healthcare gov 2020) Furthermore there is evidence suggesting that mortality rates among children under 18 have decreased since its implementation(Katz et al 2019). Similarly public hospital admissions due to lack of insurance are down significantly due decreasing numbers uninsured by almost 10%. (Titlow 2013) Finally mental health services are now much more accessible with several provisions which provide parity between physical and mental assistance advantages.(Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration SAMHSA 2014)
Therefore in conclusion , the Affordable Care act has had a profound effect on my local area . It has enabled many families obtain quality level healthcare at reasonable prices . While one must acknowledge that further work needs done regarding uninsurance statistics especially rural areas , overall it is clear that this act has been successful in achieving its goals .
