The Affordable Care Act : Medicare / Medicaid Reform

The Affordable Care Act is the most important health care legislation enacted in the United States since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.Laws have been created and put in place to improve different parts of the act like affordability, accessibility, and quality of health care. Since the Affordable Care Act became law, the rate of uninsured people has declined by 43% primarily because of laws reforms. The law has also begun transforming health care payment systems, with an estimated 30% of traditional Medicare payments going through alternative and accountable care organizations. The policy makers need to start building on progress made by the Affordable Care Act by continuing to implement the Health Insurance Marketplaces and delivery system reform, increasing federal financial assistance for the enrollees, introducing a public plan option in areas lacking individual market competition and also taking actions to reduce prescription drug costs. Although partisanship and special interest opposition remain, experience with the Affordable Care Act shows that a little positive change can be achieved on a lot of the nation’s biggest Challenges