In 2010, the Affordable Care Act, was signed into law by the then United States president Barack Obama, it focuses on the healthcare system’s future by proposing healthcare policy changes. Some of the Act’s aims were to expand insurance access, focus on preventive services, and curtail the rising healthcare costs. Specific sections and provisions in the Act outline the changes that must be observed to reach the intended goals in the country’s healthcare system. Some of the components of the Act will expand coverage, while others will lead to a reduction in healthcare costs and lead to improved health outcomes. Discussion in the post shall focus on the Act’s clauses that will lead to the latter two effects. The Act provided health insurance exchange markets and eradicated cost-sharing for routine preventive medical care (Marton, Ukert & Yelowitz, 2018). The two provisions of the Act will eventually decrease healthcare costs because patients will be relieved of the burdens of having to pay when they visit their providers for routine prevention services. The Act provides that Medicare shall fully cover the costs incurred (Campbell & Shore-Sheppard, 2020). On the other hand, health insurance exchange markets will also lead to decreased healthcare costs because they aim to provide medical covers at a subsidized cost. Cost subsidy will motivate patients to seek preventive and curative medical attention in higher numbers, leading to better health outcomes. Reduction of costs shall thus sequentially precede improved health outcomes. References Campbell, A. L., & Shore-Sheppard, L. (2020). The social, political, and economic effects of the affordable care act: Introduction to the issue. , (2), 1-40.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010 with the aim of reforming the United States’ healthcare system. The ACA introduced various provisions and policies that sought to expand insurance access, focus on preventive services, and curtail rising healthcare costs (Marton, Ukert & Yelowitz, 2018). This paper will specifically discuss the clauses of the ACA that are expected to lead to a reduction in healthcare costs and improved health outcomes.

One of the provisions of the ACA that will contribute to reduced healthcare costs is the elimination of cost-sharing for routine preventive medical care. Under this provision, patients are no longer required to pay out-of-pocket expenses when they visit their healthcare providers for preventive services such as screenings, vaccines, and counseling. Instead, the costs of these services will be fully covered by their insurance plans (Campbell & Shore-Sheppard, 2020). This will alleviate the financial burden on patients and encourage more individuals to seek preventive care, ultimately reducing the need for costly treatments and interventions in the future.

Furthermore, the ACA created health insurance exchange markets where individuals and small businesses can purchase subsidized insurance plans. These plans offer more affordable premiums and reduced out-of-pocket costs compared to traditional insurance plans (Campbell & Shore-Sheppard, 2020). By making insurance coverage more accessible and affordable, the ACA aims to increase the number of insured individuals and motivate them to seek timely medical care. This, in turn, can lead to earlier detection and management of health conditions, reducing the need for costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Both the elimination of cost-sharing for preventive care and the availability of subsidized insurance plans through health insurance exchange markets are expected to result in decreased healthcare costs. Patients will no longer have the financial barriers preventing them from accessing necessary preventive services, leading to better health outcomes in the long run. Moreover, the availability of affordable insurance options will encourage individuals to seek timely medical attention and receive appropriate care, mitigating the need for costly interventions and treatments down the line.

It is important to note that while these provisions of the ACA have the potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes, their effectiveness may vary depending on various factors such as individual behavior, healthcare utilization patterns, and the overall implementation of the ACA in different states. Additionally, the ACA also introduced other provisions, such as accountable care organizations and payment reforms, which aim to promote cost-effective healthcare delivery and incentivize quality improvement (Campbell & Shore-Sheppard, 2020). These broader initiatives are beyond the scope of this paper but should be considered when evaluating the overall impact of the ACA on healthcare costs and outcomes.

In conclusion, the Affordable Care Act introduced provisions that are expected to lead to reduced healthcare costs and improved health outcomes. By eliminating cost-sharing for routine preventive care and creating health insurance exchange markets with subsidized plans, the ACA seeks to remove financial barriers to healthcare access and motivate individuals to seek timely medical attention. These changes have the potential to decrease the need for costly interventions and improve overall population health. However, the effectiveness of these provisions may vary depending on various factors, and the broader initiatives of the ACA should also be considered in assessing its impact.

References

Campbell, A. L., & Shore-Sheppard, L. (2020). The social, political, and economic effects of the affordable care act: Introduction to the issue, (2), 1-40.

Marton, J., Ukert, B., & Yelowitz, A. (2018). The effects of the affordable care act on health insurance coverage and labor market outcomes. Journal of Labor Economics, 36(S1), S261-S293.