Open AccessRepeal and Replace of Affordable Care: A Complex, but Not an Impossible Task
Author(s) -
Laxmaiah Manchikanti,
Joshua A Hirsch
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pain physician
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2150-1149
pISSN - 1533-3159
DOI - 10.36076/ppj/2016.19.e1109
Subject(s) - repeal , medicaid , legislation , patient protection and affordable care act , health care , health care reform , law , medicine , health insurance , public administration , political science , health policy
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), signature legislation of President Obama, was arguably the mostconsequential and comprehensive health care reform since Medicare was introduced as part ofPresident Lyndon B. Johnson’s great society. It has been claimed that many of the law’s reforms arenow so integrated in the health system that full repeal would be impractical, while others includingPresident Elect Trump have rejected that idea and called for full repeal and replacement claimingACA law cannot be fixed. A tsunami of increasing regulatory burden over the past 8 years, thecurrent health care milieu has moved independent practitioners towards hospital employmentin great numbers. In addition, public opinion has been slowly climbing against ObamaCare with54% of Americans now opposing the law.President Obama has indicated that the law has accomplished many of its goals, includingincreasing accessibility, affordability, and quality of health care. However, others have contradictedthese assertions and described the ACA as “insurance for many with coverage for few.” Somebelieve that the ACA might be more appropriately labeled the “Medicaid Expansion Act.”There are multiple plans developed over the years by republican members of the congress;however, of significant consequence and importance are President-elect Trump’s proposals andthe plan developed by Speaker Paul Ryan to repeal and replace the ACA. The President-electhas described the problems he perceives with the ACA; rapidly rising premiums and deductibles,narrow networks, and limits of coverage imposed by health insurance companies. The Presidentelect has indicated that his goal will be to create a patient-centered health care system thatpromotes choice, quality, and affordability with health insurance and health care, and take anyneeded action to alleviate the burdens imposed on American families and businesses by law.Key words: Affordable Care Act, ObamaCare, Medicaid, exchanges, Trump plan, repeal, replace