HEALTH CARE POLICY
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Affordable Health Care Insurance
Lanie Soliven
8/11/2013
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act known as the Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.The PPACA/ACA aims to increase the quality, affordability, and rate of health insurance coverage for Americans, and reduce the costs of health care for individuals and the government.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Will it be an Effective Solution for the Uninsured?
I. Introduction
A. Many Americans lack health insurance, which limits their access to health care.
B. The U.S Census’s Current Population Survey provides the most widely cited statistics related to uninsured population in the United States.
1. Number of uninsured
2. Trends and common characteristics of the uninsured
C. Overview of barriers to health insurance
1. Pre-existing conditions
2. Cost prohibitive
D. Even the insured have problems with accessing health care services
1. Insurance companies deny authorization for services
2. High deductibles and co-pays
E. Americans pay more for health care than other developed Western countries, yet are losing ground in measures healthcare quality.
F. As a candidate, President Obama made access to health care and health care reform as cornerstone of his campaign.
G. After months of heated political debate, Congress enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010 to provide Americans with access to affordable health insurance.
H. While the PPACA offers some improvements and reforms that favor American’s ability to obtain health insurance, this legislation does not provide a comprehensive solution to affordable insurance and access to health care services.
II. The Evolution of Health Care Delivery in the United States
A. Employer based health benefits served as a...