WGU D223 TASK 2 ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
ON HEALTHCARE | LATEST UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
D223 Task 2 - Healthcare policy analysis
A.
1. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a federal public health
care policy that affects patient care. This policy was enacted in 2010. "It's based on three
core principles: expanding access to healthcare, enhancing the quality of care, and
controlling the soaring costs associated with medical services." ("Obamacare: Our
Ultimate Guide to Affordable Healthcare"). This policy allows individuals with lower
incomes access to insurance and healthcare.
2. The Affordable Care Act allows all US citizens access to health insurance regardless of
financial means. This Act prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to
clients with preexisting conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services
follows and enforces this Act. Originally, us citizens would be punished for not having
insurance; however, that was redacted in 2019.
3. While the Affordable Care Act benefits lower-income families and individuals, it
significantly impacts the middle class and above society. To fund this program,
middle-class society is found to have higher tax rates to fund this program. Although this
Act affects the middle class and above, it is an excellent option as it allows all citizens
access to health services despite their financial situation. This leads to fewer health
disparities across the United States.
4. Before the Affordable Care Act, Americans struggled to access and afford health care.
Preexisting conditions often lead to insurance denying them coverage and/or facing high
premiums. Americans were seen to stay in jobs solely for the insurance benefits, usually
called a "job lock." A significant reason for this disparity is the rising healthcare costs,
which, as a result, causes a rise in healthcare spending as a share of the GDP. According
to Frontiers, healthcare spending increases yearly, and the percentage of GDP spending
rises with it. (Raghupathi & Raghupathi, 2020)
Several reasons come to mind as to why terminally ill patients would request physician-assisted
death. For one, patients wish to die on their terms, peacefully and dignified. With the high rise in
medical costs, being terminally ill can be a substantial financial burden on their surviving
families.
1. The increase in healthcare costs justifies the need for the Affordable Care Act. Without
this Act, people who cannot afford healthcare would not have access to healthcare.
Unfortunately, with free access to healthcare, someone has to pay for it. Thus creating a
financial burden for the middle class. One modification I would make is higher taxation
on the wealthy to fund the healthcare system without impacting the middle class.
B) 1 A healthcare policy implemented at the state level is the Colorado End-Of-Life Options Act,
which was implemented in 2016. This Act allows terminally ill, mentally capable adults with a
prognosis of six months or less to request and self-ingest medication to end their suffering.
(Nolo)
ON HEALTHCARE | LATEST UPDATE WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
D223 Task 2 - Healthcare policy analysis
A.
1. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a federal public health
care policy that affects patient care. This policy was enacted in 2010. "It's based on three
core principles: expanding access to healthcare, enhancing the quality of care, and
controlling the soaring costs associated with medical services." ("Obamacare: Our
Ultimate Guide to Affordable Healthcare"). This policy allows individuals with lower
incomes access to insurance and healthcare.
2. The Affordable Care Act allows all US citizens access to health insurance regardless of
financial means. This Act prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to
clients with preexisting conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services
follows and enforces this Act. Originally, us citizens would be punished for not having
insurance; however, that was redacted in 2019.
3. While the Affordable Care Act benefits lower-income families and individuals, it
significantly impacts the middle class and above society. To fund this program,
middle-class society is found to have higher tax rates to fund this program. Although this
Act affects the middle class and above, it is an excellent option as it allows all citizens
access to health services despite their financial situation. This leads to fewer health
disparities across the United States.
4. Before the Affordable Care Act, Americans struggled to access and afford health care.
Preexisting conditions often lead to insurance denying them coverage and/or facing high
premiums. Americans were seen to stay in jobs solely for the insurance benefits, usually
called a "job lock." A significant reason for this disparity is the rising healthcare costs,
which, as a result, causes a rise in healthcare spending as a share of the GDP. According
to Frontiers, healthcare spending increases yearly, and the percentage of GDP spending
rises with it. (Raghupathi & Raghupathi, 2020)
Several reasons come to mind as to why terminally ill patients would request physician-assisted
death. For one, patients wish to die on their terms, peacefully and dignified. With the high rise in
medical costs, being terminally ill can be a substantial financial burden on their surviving
families.
1. The increase in healthcare costs justifies the need for the Affordable Care Act. Without
this Act, people who cannot afford healthcare would not have access to healthcare.
Unfortunately, with free access to healthcare, someone has to pay for it. Thus creating a
financial burden for the middle class. One modification I would make is higher taxation
on the wealthy to fund the healthcare system without impacting the middle class.
B) 1 A healthcare policy implemented at the state level is the Colorado End-Of-Life Options Act,
which was implemented in 2016. This Act allows terminally ill, mentally capable adults with a
prognosis of six months or less to request and self-ingest medication to end their suffering.
(Nolo)
