American Healthcare System and Affordable Care Act Essay

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Issues Driving Change in Healthcare

Healthcare is driven by policy changes like those embedded in the Affordable Care Act, by shifting social norms and attitudes towards healthcare, and by demographic changes such as the aging population. The Affordable Care Act was revolutionary in that it mandated universal coverage but still fell short of transforming the ethos of a market-driven healthcare system. As a result, the Affordable Care Act did not lead to appreciable changes in insurance structuring. The Affordable Care Act did, however, instigate a new dialogue about the ethics, role, and function of healthcare in America. Social norms also drive change in the healthcare system. In fact, the Affordable Care Act itself helped change social norms and values, helping more Americans understand the importance of improved efficiency and reducing healthcare disparities. As social norms and values change, it may be possible to imagine a future in which Americans no longer tolerate the excessively high costs of healthcare that are directly due to insurance bloating. Finally, demographic changes including an aging population and increased diversity throughout the country means that the nature of healthcare delivery is changing. Healthcare change is driven from the top down, through changes to fiscal and healthcare policy, and by the bottom up, by individuals, families, communities, and healthcare workers too.

Two effects of the Affordable Care Act include improved coordination of care, which is also aided by technology, and cost controls. According to Salmond & Echevarria (2017), the Affordable Care Act’s primary goals have been to reduce unnecessary spending at all levels of healthcare management and delivery.

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A strong self-assessment in the healthcare industry is taking place as a result. The Affordable Care Act has also led to changing values and norms, with more Americans realizing the importance of accessible and fair insurance policies, and easier means to access affordable healthcare services. As more Americans recognize the ways Medicare and Medicaid already function as single-payer systems for seniors, it is also possible that the future of healthcare may include single-payer systems for all residents. The aging population and other demographic changes are also impacting the way nurses are trained, how healthcare is delivered throughout multiple levels of the system, and how costs are managed over time.

How the Affordable Care Act Helps Lower Income Families

The Affordable Care Act was designed in part to address the problem with millions of uninsured or under-insured Americans. Less than ten years after its passing, the Affordable Care Act has already significantly reduced healthcare insurance disparities. One study shows that disparities have diminished particularly in Latin communities (Heintzman, Bailey & DeVoe, et. Al, 2016). Because it creates a government-based insurance program that is available for people who work in precarious or temporary jobs, people who are self-employed, and those who only work part time, all persons who cannot rely on employer-paid insurance plans stand to benefit from the Affordable Care Act. While costs of insurance and healthcare services remain bloated….....

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