ntroduction
When outlining the constitution, our forefathers maintained a stance that this nation would “promote the general Welfare” of its citizens (U.S. Const. art. I, §1). Protecting future generations’ health and happiness was worth fighting for, however, it is unlikely that these visionaries understood how this statement would take form in future capacities. The most recent, and perhaps significant, legislative movement pertinent to this topic is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a 2010 bill, which provided individuals with better opportunities to access health care. Over the course of six years, multiple strategies have been employed to increase insurance coverage, while also providing better economic stability to the health care system (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015, p.1). The following Bradach analysis will demonstrate how government officials and medical professionals have worked collaboratively to implement this policy by identifying key features, it’s overall impact, and potential areas of revision. Problem Statement When conducting a Bradach analysis it is first necessary to determine the problem statement, however, in regards to the Affordable Care Act a singular topic cannot be identified due to its breath (Bradach, 2012, p.1). …show more content…
Interestingly, by cross referencing the legislative clauses against current fiscal and population data values evidence of the core problems this initiative hoped to address can be identified. For instance, the first provision within the ACA requires all U.S citizens to have health insurance, but prior to 2010 44 million American did not maintain consistent coverage (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016, p.1). Studies have shown that uninsured individuals are less likely to have a primary physician, therefore, relying typically on the emergency room for care (DeMichele, 2016a, p.1) . In addition, these individuals frequently do not practice preventative care, nor do they receive medical attention in a timely manner (DeMichele, 2016a, p.1) . These contributing factors have increased the likelihood of death in uninsured Americans by 40 percent, equating to as many as 45,000 deaths per year (Cecere, 2009, p.1). The ACA also maintains several provisions to make healthcare more accessible, including; Expansion of Medicaid coverage to provide eligibility to all individuals under age 65; Cost-sharing credits to individuals and families with incomes “between 133-400% of the federal poverty level”, a value assessed at approximately at $19,530 in 2013; The creation of state-based health benefit exchanges and small business health options to help identify and secure insurance plans (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016, p.1). These clauses speak to the economic concerns presented by individuals without insurance coverage. In the United States each year approximately nine thousand dollars are spent per person on health care expenses, doubling that of our global economic competitors (DeMichele, 2016b, p.1). Lacking insurance commonly translates into the inability to provide payment, therefore, billions of dollars of uncompensated care costs are accrued for hospitals annually. Ultimately, expenditures utilized to compensate those debts influence the sustainability of other forms of funding such as education, public safety, and infrastructure repairs. Finally, the ACA also helped to stabilize the relationships between insurance companies and the individuals that they cover through the following mandates; Individuals may not be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition; Insurance plans cannot be revoked due to a mistake made on your application. To provide consistent rates insurance companies must
When outlining the constitution, our forefathers maintained a stance that this nation would “promote the general Welfare” of its citizens (U.S. Const. art. I, §1). Protecting future generations’ health and happiness was worth fighting for, however, it is unlikely that these visionaries understood how this statement would take form in future capacities. The most recent, and perhaps significant, legislative movement pertinent to this topic is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a 2010 bill, which provided individuals with better opportunities to access health care. Over the course of six years, multiple strategies have been employed to increase insurance coverage, while also providing better economic stability to the health care system (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015, p.1). The following Bradach analysis will demonstrate how government officials and medical professionals have worked collaboratively to implement this policy by identifying key features, it’s overall impact, and potential areas of revision. Problem Statement When conducting a Bradach analysis it is first necessary to determine the problem statement, however, in regards to the Affordable Care Act a singular topic cannot be identified due to its breath (Bradach, 2012, p.1). …show more content…
Interestingly, by cross referencing the legislative clauses against current fiscal and population data values evidence of the core problems this initiative hoped to address can be identified. For instance, the first provision within the ACA requires all U.S citizens to have health insurance, but prior to 2010 44 million American did not maintain consistent coverage (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016, p.1). Studies have shown that uninsured individuals are less likely to have a primary physician, therefore, relying typically on the emergency room for care (DeMichele, 2016a, p.1) . In addition, these individuals frequently do not practice preventative care, nor do they receive medical attention in a timely manner (DeMichele, 2016a, p.1) . These contributing factors have increased the likelihood of death in uninsured Americans by 40 percent, equating to as many as 45,000 deaths per year (Cecere, 2009, p.1). The ACA also maintains several provisions to make healthcare more accessible, including; Expansion of Medicaid coverage to provide eligibility to all individuals under age 65; Cost-sharing credits to individuals and families with incomes “between 133-400% of the federal poverty level”, a value assessed at approximately at $19,530 in 2013; The creation of state-based health benefit exchanges and small business health options to help identify and secure insurance plans (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016, p.1). These clauses speak to the economic concerns presented by individuals without insurance coverage. In the United States each year approximately nine thousand dollars are spent per person on health care expenses, doubling that of our global economic competitors (DeMichele, 2016b, p.1). Lacking insurance commonly translates into the inability to provide payment, therefore, billions of dollars of uncompensated care costs are accrued for hospitals annually. Ultimately, expenditures utilized to compensate those debts influence the sustainability of other forms of funding such as education, public safety, and infrastructure repairs. Finally, the ACA also helped to stabilize the relationships between insurance companies and the individuals that they cover through the following mandates; Individuals may not be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition; Insurance plans cannot be revoked due to a mistake made on your application. To provide consistent rates insurance companies must