Science:
In two paragraphs, describe any public program that serves as a source to finance the U.S. healthcare system. Describe the specific policy and the program that occurred as a result of the policy and the intended target population.
Application
Consider your readings on the challenges, debates and successes of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010. Using figure 3 (located in week 1 resources) “How a bill becomes a law,” and this weeks’ scholarly readings, select any area within this diagram to describe any issue(s) that may have occurred during or after the process of the PPACA transforming from a bill to an actual law. For example, you can describe:
● How did “the people” influence the passage of this healthcare bill? (What evidence
supports this?)
● Describe a specific state legislature that supported or opposed the bill? (Offer details)
● Describe the “Committee” in the legislative body who was responsible for reviewing
health care bills.
● Describe one debate or amendment to the ACA bill prior to its adoption into law.
● Were there any issues with the budgets associated with the ACA bill?
● Were there any public hearings during the Committee sessions? If so, provide a
description
● Describe any debates to overturn the ACA
UMUC journal articles can also be used to support your discussion response this week
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Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, we will discuss the sources of financing for the U.S. healthcare system and the challenges faced during the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010.
Answer:
Public programs serve as sources of financing for the U.S. healthcare system. One such program is Medicaid, a state-administered program funded by the federal government. Medicaid provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. The policy that created Medicaid was the Social Security Amendments of 1965, which aimed to provide financial assistance to states to enable them to provide medical assistance to people on welfare. The target population for Medicaid is individuals and families living below the poverty line. Medicaid has since been expanded to cover more people, including pregnant women, children, and adults in some states.
Application:
During the enactment of the PPACA, several issues were encountered. One significant issue was how the public influenced the passage of the healthcare bill. The “people” played a critical role in the passage of the PPACA. Citizens organized voter registration drives, rallies, and protests in support of the healthcare bill. They also shared their stories of struggling to afford healthcare, creating public awareness of the need for healthcare reform.
Another issue was the debate and amendments to the PPACA bill. Opponents of the bill proposed several amendments to reduce the cost of healthcare reform, while supporters wanted to expand access to healthcare. One critical amendment that was proposed was the removal of the requirement for individuals to purchase health insurance. This proposal was ultimately defeated in the Senate.
There were also issues with the budget associated with the ACA bill. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the PPACA would increase the deficit by approximately $143 billion over ten years, leading to concerns about the bill’s cost. However, proponents of the bill argued that the PPACA would ultimately lead to cost savings through reduced healthcare spending.
Finally, several public hearings were held during the Committee sessions to review the PPACA. These hearings provided an opportunity for stakeholders to express their opinions and concerns regarding the bill. Some people criticized the bill for creating an additional financial burden on taxpayers, while others praised it for its potential to expand access to healthcare.
In conclusion, the passage of the PPACA was a complex process that encountered several challenges and debates. However, through the efforts of the public, lawmakers, and stakeholders, the PPACA became law, expanding access to healthcare for millions of Americans.
