The Great Debate! Supportive analysis of the PPACA Brook Grzadzinski Amy Toman Simonette Elgert Paula Grundy Jenna Godfryd August 12, 2013

The beginning of PPACA On March 23, 2010 President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This is the largest governing expansion in the United States since the passage of the Medicare and Medicaid Act of 1965 (Obamacare Health Insurance, Rules, Regulations and Standards, n.d.). The law is designed to provide health funding, reduce the cost of healthcare for Americans, increase coverage and remove the burden that health care has become for the average American (Obamacare Health Insurance, Rules, Regulations and Standards, n.d.).

Current state According to the Center for Disease Control in 2012 it was estimated that 45 million people did not have healthcare. “ Our health care system underperforms; even when access and equity measures are not considered, the U.S. ranks behind most of the other countries on most measures ” (Young, 2013, p. 1).

What the PPACA offers The reform is predicted to reduce the number of uninsured people by 27 million by next year (Center Disease Control, n.d.). The PPACA proposes that it will provide assistance to the poor and near poor who are least likely to have health coverage. It will provide Medicaid coverage to those with incomes up to 133 percent of the poverty level and it will adapt national policies that will promote primary care, quality improvement and information technology (Young, 2013). The reform promises quality healthcare that is accessible across the continuum. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that the PPACA is fully paid for. Will provide coverage to more than 94% of Americans while staying under the $900 billion limit that President Obama established. Will reduce the healthcare deficit over the next ten years and beyond (Responsible Reform for the Middle class, n.d.).

Components of the Reform The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act contain nine titles, each addressing an essential component of reform: · Quality, affordable health care for all Americans · The role of public programs · Improving the quality and efficiency of health care · Prevention of chronic disease and improving public health · Health care workforce · Transparency and program integrity · Improving access to innovative medical therapies · Community living assistance services and supports · Revenue provisions (Obama Care Facts, n.d.)

Title I Quality, affordable health care for all Americans Puts individuals, families and small business owners in control of their own healthcare. Reduces premiums and provides billions of dollars in tax relief. All preventive care to be fully covered without cost to the individual. Insurance companies can ’ t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and one can appeal if insurance companies refuse doctor ordered treatments. Health Insurance Marketplace will allow consumers to shop and compare health plan. Young adults can remain on parent ’ s insurance until age 26. (Obama Care Fact, n. d.)

Title II The Role of Public Programs Expand eligibility for Medicaid to lower income persons and assume federal responsibility for much of the cost of this expansion. Enhanced federal support for the Children ’ s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Simplifies Medicaid and CHIP enrollment (Responsible Reform, n. d.)

Title III Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care Preserve, protect and reform Medicare. Payment for services will be linked to better quality outcomes. Support research to inform consumers about patient outcomes resulting from different approaches to treatment and care delivery. The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit will be enhanced. (Responsible Reform, n.d.)

Title IV Prevention of Chronic Disease and Improving Public Health Promotes prevention, wellness, and public health. Nutritional information will be more prevalent. Co-payments will be waved for preventative measures for seniors. Provide funding for research in public health services and systems to examine best prevention practices. Better access to wellness programs and more eligibility for the people. (Responsible Reform, n. d.)

Title V Health Care Workforce Funding of scholarships and loan repayment programs to assist young people with going to school for health care related professions. Creation of more health care professions. Funding and expansion of community health centers. (Obama Facts, n.d.)

Title VI Transparency and Program Integrity Requirements will provide information to the public on the health system. A newly invigorated set of requirements to combat fraud and abuse in public and private programs. Disclosure requirements to identify high-risk providers who have defrauded the American taxpayer. Creates greater transparency of nursing homes by placing regulations and incentive programs to help improve quality control. (Obama Facts, n.d.)

Title VII Improving Access to Innovative Medical Therapies Extends drug discounts to hospitals and communities that serve low-income patients. Creation of generic versions of biological drugs so that doctors and patients have access to effective and lower cost alternatives. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.)

Title VIII Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Provides Americans with a new option to finance long- term services and care in the event of a disability. Self-funded and voluntary long-term care insurance choice. Workers will pay in premiums in order to receive a daily cash benefit if they develop a disability. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n. d)

TITLE IX Revenue Provisions Health care will be more affordable for families and small business owners by providing the largest middle class tax cuts for health care in American history. New tax credits will help the public reduce their premium costs and purchase insurance. ( Responsible Reform, n. d)

TITLE X Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorizes health care services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. Modernize the health care system and improve health care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaskan Natives. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n. d)

Conclusion The PPACA will ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care and will create the transformation within the health care system necessary to contain costs. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has determined that the PPACA is fully paid for, will provide coverage to more than 94% of Americans while staying under the $900 billion limit that President Obama established, bending the health care cost curve, and reducing the deficit over the next ten years and beyond. (Responsible Reform for the Middle class, n.d.)

References Department of Health and Human Services. (nd). HHS.gov website. Retrieved from: Obamacare.Health Insurance Rules, Regulations and Standards. Retrieved from: Obama Care Facts (2013). Obama care facts: dispelling the myths. Retrieved from: Senate Government Health Reform Bill (2013).Responsible Reform for the Middle Class. Retrieved from: http/ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2013). Read the Law. Retrieved from: HHS.gov/healthcare Young, J. (2013). Uninsured Americans 2012: More Than 45 Million Laced Health Insurance Last Year, CDC reports. Retrieved from: