Healthcare Reform in the United States
Healthcare Reform in the United States While the United States delivers some of the best medical care in the world, there are major inefficiencies in our healthcare system. We have high rates of medical errors, millions without health insurance coverage, and lower utilization of advanced health information technology than most western European nations. It seems every time you turn on the evening news, you hear something about the healthcare system in American and how it is in shambles. Without question, one of the biggest challenges facing American citizens is our dysfunctional healthcare system.
During the elections of 2008, President Barack Obama’s key issue was the focus on overall healthcare reform in the United States. Is Universal Healthcare really necessary? Many will disagree. I am one of the lucky ones who has coverage now, but who knows what the future may bring? Therefore, I firmly believe that healthcare reform is necessary. Not only will this bill provide health care for all Americans, but it will also create jobs. And that is something that could benefit all Americans.
On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” is used to refer to the final, amended version of the law. For some thirty-two million Americans who currently lack insurance, the new law expands access to Medicaid, along with subsidies to help small businesses and individuals with modest means to purchase reasonably-priced coverage. (Jacobs and Skocpol 1, 4) For the elderly on Medicare, the new law promises free preventive checkups and more complete subsides for prescription drug coverage. And for the Americans who already have health insurance via their employers, the new law promises key regulatory protections. By 2014, private insurers will no longer be able to avoid or drop coverage for people with serious
During the elections of 2008, President Barack Obama’s key issue was the focus on overall healthcare reform in the United States. Is Universal Healthcare really necessary? Many will disagree. I am one of the lucky ones who has coverage now, but who knows what the future may bring? Therefore, I firmly believe that healthcare reform is necessary. Not only will this bill provide health care for all Americans, but it will also create jobs. And that is something that could benefit all Americans.
On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” is used to refer to the final, amended version of the law. For some thirty-two million Americans who currently lack insurance, the new law expands access to Medicaid, along with subsidies to help small businesses and individuals with modest means to purchase reasonably-priced coverage. (Jacobs and Skocpol 1, 4) For the elderly on Medicare, the new law promises free preventive checkups and more complete subsides for prescription drug coverage. And for the Americans who already have health insurance via their employers, the new law promises key regulatory protections. By 2014, private insurers will no longer be able to avoid or drop coverage for people with serious
Cited: Jacobs, Lawrence R. and Theda Skocpol, “Health Care Reform and American Politics.” Oxford University Press, Inc. 2010 Sommer, Alfred, M.D., M.H.S, “Getting what we Deserve Health & Medical Care in America.” The John Hopkins University Press, 2009 Rubin, Courtney, “What Healthcare Reform Means to Your Business.” Inc. 10 Nov 2010 http://www.inc.com/news/articles/2010/03/health-care-reform-and-small-business.html