In terms of significance, the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 is often compared to the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. The ACA grew out of advances in coverage provided by Medicare and Medicaid \u2014 in fact, President Theodore Roosevelt first proposed a national health insurance program in 1912! We celebrate over 100 years of healthcare progress in 2016.<\/p>\n
The ACA turns 6 today, and its elder sibling, Medicare, turns 51 a few months from now. Both programs continue to evolve, enhancing the lives and health of Americans.<\/p>\n
More states continue to expand Medicaid. Thirty-one states, including Washington, D.C., have expanded Medicaid, and it is under discussion in others.<\/p>\n
Since the ACA took effect, 20 million uninsured adults ages 18 to 64 gained health coverage. This figure does not include children or adults ages 65 or older. The uninsured rate has decreased substantially across all races and ethnicities throughout the country.<\/p>\n
Here in Alaska, 23,029 signed up for health insurance through HealthCare.gov during the recent Open Enrollment Period. Another 12,678 Alaskans gained coverage through Alaska\u2019s newly expanded Medicaid program.<\/p>\n
However, the ACA hasn\u2019t impacted only those who have recently gained coverage. Virtually every American has benefitted in some way from the ACA, whether they realize it or not. Here are a few of the benefits we all enjoy:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Young adults can stay on their parent\u2019s plans until age 26.<\/p>\n
\u2022 You can appeal your plan\u2019s denial of payment decision.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lifetime limits are banned.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Insurance companies must justify unreasonable rate hikes.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Many preventive care services are covered at no cost with Qualified Health Plans and with Medicare.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Medicare \u201cdonut hole\u201d is closing and will be closed by 2020, saving seniors on prescription drug costs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Health plans must spend at least 80 percent of your premiums on health care instead of administrative costs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Insurance companies can\u2019t deny coverage based upon preexisting conditions.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Medicare payments to hospitals and physicians are now linked to quality instead of quantity of services provided.<\/p>\n
\u2022 States are incentivized to come up with innovative plans to improve the health of their citizens.<\/p>\n
These are just a few improvements that the ACA has brought to the entire healthcare landscape. Changes continue to be phased in, bettering healthcare and health in America.<\/p>\n
We are working now to improve care, by encouraging better coordination and prioritizing wellness and prevention. We\u2019re seeing success in programs like the Diabetes Prevention Program, which helps at-risk individuals delay or prevent diabetes. By preventing illnesses before they happen, we can save lives and save money.<\/p>\n
We are also giving providers and patients access to their healthcare data in new ways. Businesses are creating apps to help access electronic health records in innovative ways. Patients become more involved in their own care, leading to better outcomes. This is a win for providers, patients and the businesses which develop the applications.<\/p>\n
Visionary Americans fought for the right for all Americans to have affordable, quality healthcare. The ACA will continue to bring those visions to fruition this year and for years to come.<\/p>\n
Happy anniversary to us all!<\/p>\n
\u2022 Susan Johnson is the regional director the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service for Region 10.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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