University Discussion: Affordable Care Act Implications and Lessons

This discussion post analyzes the Affordable Care Act (ACA), exploring the perspectives of Democrats and Republicans. The student's responses highlight the unpopularity of the 'Cadillac Tax' and individual mandate, as well as the importance of considering non-technological insurance provisions. The student argues that Democrats should consider refundable credits or HIPAA protections, while Republicans should focus on amending the ACA instead of complete repeal, considering the impact on low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled. The post references key articles discussing the ACA's effects and challenges, including issues of insurance coverage, the role of government in healthcare, and the ongoing debate surrounding the law's effectiveness.

Running head: DISCUSSION POST: AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT
DISCUSSION POST: AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1DISCUSSION POST: AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT
Response 1
The PPACA continued to be unpopular pertaining to the ‘Cadillac Tax’ and individual
mandate, which the democrats continued to ignore due to delusionary benefits of increasing
insurance coverage. Further, the heavy reliance of technology, as observed in the creation of the
‘market place’, implies that individuals without access to technology, may continue to remain
uninsured. Hence, consideration of non-technology insurance provision along with replacing
mandates and Cadillac Tax with the provision of a refundable credit or consideration of the
protection provided by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996) would be
key lessons for Democrats (Antos, 2014). The Republicans aim to repeal the PPACA completely,
without consideration of the larger picture. Hence, amending the PPACA accordingly instead of
completely repealing it and considering the needs of families from poor socio-economic
backgrounds and the possible increases in Premiums for the elderly or the disabled, are lessons
which must be considered by the Republicans (Garlic, 2018).
Response 2
The Democrats focused only on the overall provision of insurance coverage to low
income group families, despite the emergence of public unpopularity on requirement of
individual mandate and the provision of the Cadillac Tax. Further, despite the high enrollment
rates in the ‘marketplace’, insurances may still be inaccessible to non-technology users and
families residing in remote regions. Hence, consideration implementing non-technological means
of insurance enrollment, along with provision of refundable credit or protections provided by the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996), instead of the unpopular Cadillac
tax or individual mandate, are lessons to be learned by the Democrats (Antos, 2014). The

2DISCUSSION POST: AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT
Republicans took advantage of the selective unpopularity of the PPACA as an excuse to
completely repeal the act, without consideration of the benefits of increased coverage. Hence, the
lessons which the Republicans must consider, include amending only certain sections of the
PPACA instead of repealing it completely and consideration of the possible increments in
premiums since it would leave millions of poor socioeconomic families uninsured and increase
healthcare costs for the disable and the elderly (Garlick, 2018).

3DISCUSSION POST: AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT
References
Antos, J. R. (2014). Health care reform after the ACA. The New England journal of
medicine, 370(24), 2259-2261.
Garlick, A. (2018). Mercy and Malice: An Inside View of the Push to Repeal and Replace
Obamacare. PS: Political Science & Politics, 51(2), 491-493.