2.In 2010, the American health care system was completely overhauled with the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; amended later by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. In these changes, a broken system that left many American citizens uninsured will gradually become the means by which all Americans will receive health insurance, for better or worse. In this presentation, we will discuss the impact of the bill on everyone from individuals to insurance companies, as well as the varying arguments for and against the bill. We will also discuss where the bill is at now, and what changes are coming in the future.
3.The primary points of the PPACA include the restructuring of the American health care system into one where insurance companies are held more accountable for their actions, and health care costs are reduced for the average individual. Since everyone is forced to get health insurance, steps are taken to make this process more affordable, including the allowance of coverage for preexisting conditions and the expansion of Medicare and Medicaid.
4.American citizens experience free preventative services, the ability to remain on a parent’s health insurance plan until 26, and tax incentives for purchasing insurance. Patients must be given the ability to choose their primary care provider as well. However, they will be forced to purchase some kind of health care plan.
5.Employers also receive these tax credits (mostly small businesses), and retirees must be more adequately be cared for. Insurance providers can no longer discriminate against those with preexisting conditions, and premiums must be lowered to the point of affordability.
6.Insurance companies must, as a result, make reasonably priced plans that anyone could buy, and they cannot discriminate against people who have preexisting conditions.
7.The uninsured will not be allowed to go without insurance; they are forced to pay for a health care plan. The point of the plan is that there are no uninsured American citizens; people are forced to purchase a health care insurance plan by 2014; this is why the whole system has been made more affordable.
8.Medicaid and Medicare services are expanded, and prescription drugs are also reduced in cost. Instead of paying fees for services, bundled payments will make Medicare funding easier and more streamlined.
9.Supporters of the bill state that it will make health care more affordable and allow those who need healthcare to have it; it prevents predatory insurance providers and a bloated healthcare system that costs an arm and a leg for the simplest procedure.
10.However, there are also those who state that there has not been enough research done on the ramifications of this services. They believe that health care should be privatized, and that the government should not be given that much control over the health of their citizens. Most would rather see health care remain privatized, as they fear having a universal health care plan.
11.The PPACA is currently passed and signed into law, integrating a wide variety of services over the next four years. By the time 2015 hits, the complete set of laws will be in effect.
2012
Accountable care organization incentives begin, racial and ethnic data collected, long-term voluntary insurance program begun, electronic administration mandated, value-based purchasing program begun
2013
New funding to Medicaid for preventative programs, Increased Medicaid payments for primary care physicians, bundle payment authority expanded, CHIP funding expanded
2014
Insurance exchanges implemented, basic coverage required for all Americans, increased Medicaid access, increased tax credits for health care, no more annual limits on coverage, no preexisting condition discrimination, higher small business insurance tax credit
2015
Value-based payments for physicians
