The Affordable Care Act Paper
The Affordable Care Act Paper
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), adopted in 2010, is a significant reform bill that expands coverage for medical insurance for people without health insurance. The act eliminates the expenses incurred out of pocket for patients seeking medical services (Himmelstein et al., 2019). Some lawmakers were working to abolish the ACA Act because doing so would advance their selfish political goals at the cost of patients’ safety. Cost-benefit analysis is based on the idea that lawmakers do not always consider society’s interests when deciding which laws to pass. Politics played a role in the fight to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with the Republican Party, led by President Trump, aiming to introduce the American Health Care Act as a replacement. Unfortunately, they could not collect enough support to get the measure through the legislature (Congress.gov, 2018). Members of Congress who voted to repeal the ACA belonged to the Republican Party, while those who voted against the measure were Democrats. Political representatives are expected to put healthcare improvement in the nation ahead of their re-election prospects and party allegiance when making decisions.
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Feldstein’s speech makes it clear that political forces shown in the development and removal of regulations may impact recommendations and positions taken by legislative leaders. Re-election in elected offices threatens autonomous decision-making for society’s welfare (Congress.gov, 2018). This way, regulations are changed for unintended reasons, putting the majority at risk while gratifying the minority. Such choices may weaken universal health coverage, increasing the number of people who must pay for their healthcare out of pocket and threatening the viability of plans like the Affordable Care Act. Several times, the president has tried to control Congress, which has had a detrimental impact on Congress’s ability to craft policy independently.
References
Congress.gov. (2018). H.R.370 – To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and other purposes. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/370
Himmelstein, D. U., Lawless, R. M., Thorne, D., Foohey, P., & Woolhandler, S. (2019). Medical bankruptcy: still common despite the Affordable Care Act. American Journal of Public Health, 109(3), 431-433. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304901
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Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society.
Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be reelected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Consider who benefits the most when policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation.
Give an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the voters views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Please check your discussion grading rubric to ensure your responses meet the criteria.