Should the Affordable Care Act be repealed?

 

Should the Affordable Care Act be repealed?
Introduction:

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, has been a highly debated topic since its implementation in 2010. The ACA was designed to increase access to healthcare and reduce healthcare costs for millions of Americans. However, there are strong arguments both for and against the repeal of the ACA. This essay will analyze each side of the debate to determine whether the Affordable Care Act should be repealed.

Thesis Statement: The Affordable Care Act should not be repealed as it has provided millions of Americans with access to healthcare, reduced uninsured rates, and improved healthcare quality.

Pro/ “For” Side:

The proponents of the Affordable Care Act argue that it has brought significant benefits to millions of Americans. Some of the major arguments in favor of the ACA include:

Increased Access to Healthcare: The ACA expanded Medicaid eligibility and provided subsidies to help individuals purchase insurance on the exchange. This has resulted in millions gaining access to healthcare who were previously uninsured or underinsured.

According to a study by the Urban Institute, the ACA has reduced the uninsured rate by approximately 8.8 percentage points, leading to an estimated 20 million people gaining coverage.
Protection for Pre-existing Conditions: One of the key provisions of the ACA is that it prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. This ensures that individuals with chronic illnesses or prior medical conditions have access to affordable healthcare.

A report from the Department of Health and Human Services showed that before the ACA, 50-129 million people had some type of pre-existing condition and could have faced difficulties obtaining health insurance.
Improved Healthcare Quality: The ACA implemented various measures to improve the quality of healthcare services, such as promoting preventive care and implementing electronic health records. These initiatives have resulted in better health outcomes for patients and reduced healthcare costs in the long run.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that hospitals participating in ACA’s quality improvement programs had lower 30-day readmission rates for common conditions like heart attacks and pneumonia.
Con/ “Against” Side:

Despite the positive impacts of the ACA, there are arguments against its continuation. Some of the major arguments against the ACA repeal include:

Rising Premiums: Critics argue that the ACA has led to an increase in healthcare premiums for many Americans. They claim that the regulations on insurance companies, such as mandating coverage for certain services, have driven up costs.

A report by the Department of Health and Human Services showed that premiums increased by an average of 105% in 39 states from 2013 to 2017.
Individual Mandate: One of the controversial aspects of the ACA is the individual mandate, which requires individuals to have health insurance or face a penalty. Critics argue that this infringes on personal freedom and imposes a financial burden on those who choose not to purchase insurance.

The Tax Policy Center estimated that in 2016, approximately 6.5 million taxpayers paid a penalty for not having insurance.
Burden on Small Businesses: Opponents argue that the ACA places a burden on small businesses, particularly those with fewer than 50 employees, who are required to offer health insurance or face penalties.

A study by the National Federation of Independent Business found that 75% of small businesses reported a negative impact on their business due to the ACA, including increased costs and reduced hiring.
Analysis & Conclusion:

In analyzing both sides of the debate, it becomes clear that while there are valid concerns and criticisms regarding the ACA, its benefits outweigh its drawbacks. The expansion of access to healthcare, protection for pre-existing conditions, and improvements in healthcare quality are significant achievements that should not be dismissed.

While rising premiums and the individual mandate may be drawbacks, they can be addressed through targeted reforms rather than a complete repeal of the ACA. Additionally, small businesses can be supported through targeted policies that alleviate their burden.

Therefore, based on the analysis, it can be concluded that the Affordable Care Act should not be repealed. It has made significant progress in improving healthcare access and quality for millions of Americans. In the next assignment, I will defend this position and provide further evidence for why the ACA should be retained and improved.

Works Cited:

Urban Institute. “Health Insurance Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act: A Progress Report.” (2015).
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. “Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan Program: A Plan for Pre-Existing Condition Coverage.” (2010).
Jha, Ashish K., et al. “Hospital quality reporting: perspectives from hospital leaders.” New England Journal of Medicine 375.18 (2016): 1805-1807.
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. “Health Insurance Marketplace Premiums After Shopping, Switching, and Premium Tax Credits.” (2017).
Tax Policy Center. “Individual Mandate Penalty Amounts Under the Affordable Care Act: 2014-2016.” (2018).
National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation. “Economic Impact of PPACA on Small Businesses.” (2011).