Obama Healthcare Reform - Pros and Cons - Essay Example

?Running Head: health sciences and medicines Obama Healthcare Reform of the of the of the INTRODUCTION Barrack Hussein Obama also known as Barack Obama is the 44th and present president of united sates of America. During the period of recession, he took few steps to stimulate the economy of the country. Some domestic initiatives takes during his reign were in the form of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This act is also known as the “Obamacare”. On July 14, 2009 the house of democrats presented a plan regarding the health care system. Obama wanted congress to approve it by the end of 2009. On November 7, 2009 a bill was passed on health care. On December 24, 2009 the senate passed the bill without taking any public opinion. The senate, on 21st March 2010 passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Obama signed it on 23rd march 2010. The concept of Obamacare is very old. In the year 1989, it was earlier proposed by Heritage Foundation (Christensen, et al, 2010). It was a type of alternative to those who used to pay for their health care individually. From that time the issues regarding health care were very much discussed. It was on the focus by both the parties. At the 2008 election the Democratic Party made the healthcare reform its platform. President Obama always wanted to do something regarding the health care issues of the citizens. There are many private insurance plans that do not cover the pre existing conditions of the patients. Few are there who cheated in the name of the terms and conditions. To put a ban on these Obama introduced and worked hard on passing the bill regarding the health care of the patients. The reforms proposed earlier were never passed. The procedures were lacking. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act took action that required almost four years of implementation. It offered an opportunity to the citizens by providing medical aids for people who were below the poverty level. Giving $8800 per four people in a family for which they had to pay extra 2-5% of their income for the treatment (Terry, 2010). The main purpose of introducing this Act was to look after the betterment of the citizens. People belonging to high income level were not an issue in terms of dealing with their health issues and demands. However, the major concern was in the form of dealing with the health issues of poor people. There were companies who refused to cover the insurance of the patients who were already having a pre existing condition. The Obamacare put prohibitions on all those private insurance companies who not only refused covering but also cheated while coming to terms to the medical issues. When the law was passed many people objected. Governments cannot force its citizens to believe on any policy along with embracing it. Many states filed cases against the government regarding such issues. The name Obamacare was later dubbed by the media. Companies often used to drop off its policies when the patients were sick. To stop all these wrongful practices of the private companies, the act was introduced and implemented. The government has always thought for the betterment of its citizens and the same in applicable in the context of the healthcare. Obamacare has given a new direction to the health care facilities of its citizens by making it available, affordable and qualitative. It has also helped in dealing with a number of healthcare issues in a logical and well planned manner. Furthermore, there have been a number of un-insured people in the US willing to have healthcare benefits but because of the lack of the healthcare programs and initiatives failed in availing the healthcare services in a desired manner (Terry, 2010). The healthcare reform has further helped in revamping the healthcare strategies and initiatives. The well planned attention on millions of people has offered a ray of hope to a number of people being deprived of the healthcare needs and usefulness. This also helped in catering to the much needed healthcare needs of millions of people. The biggest issue is pertaining to the treatment of uninsured citizens that are high in numbers. The purposed healthcare reform has helped in dealing with this issue (Reid, 2009). PERIOD OF 2010-2011 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed by the Obama government on March 23, 2010. Right after the introduction of the act, many obligations arrived from the public. It is said that the healthcare bill influenced the elections. After June 2010, there were new programs of “high risk pool” that provided coverage to the uninsured citizens going through pre existing conditions (Reid, 2009). On September 2010, new health care plans were presented with services of no co pay or deductable. After September 2010, it was announced that no new policies will be cancelled; they can be cancelled only on the grounds of frauds or manipulation. Health insurers were not able to set dollar limit. It was said children remain attached to the family insurance with their parent until the age of 26 years and the health care insurance could not prohibit the coverage for the pre existing conditions of patients (Chang, et al, 2006). This new condition was applicable for children also. There were millions of citizen who were found uninsured. It was a pity for the country like the USA. When this Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed, it revealed that millions of citizens were uninsured. This act gave benefits to all those citizens. It also benefitted the citizens living below federal poverty level. The private insurance companies were prohibited from offering policies covering little benefit during the medical care (Levy, et al, 2010). The year 2011 brought a new phase to this act. The individuals were able to buy a voluntary nation insurance program for long term. The patients receiving the medical care got coverage to prescription. They also received 50% discount on the branded drugs. It expanded its benefits by giving personalized prevention plan to the patient’s doctors and preventive services. It also helped in dealing with the most prominent issue of the healthcare plaguing the growth and development of the society in a critical manner (Hogg, et al, 2005). POLITICAL INFLUENCE It was said that the Patient Protection and Affordable Act influenced the election polls. The election took place around April 2009 and the act was passed on March 23 2010. It was assumed that there were enough of warning signs for the democrats. It stated to be tough election for them. The healthcare reform based polling, the generic congressional ballot and President’s approval of job pointed out the trouble. The insurance policies of private companies were said to cover for the patients suffering from diabetes and cancer. The law also suggested investing $15 million for public health care programs. It was stated that, by 2014, no companies can deny insurance for pre existing conditions of the patients and the companies have to provide insurances to its employees. Any company failing to fulfill this criterion shall face fine as punishment. After hearing this 20 states filled multi law suits in Florida. Virginia filed its own law suit. According to them, the government was forcing on buying insurance. In august 2011, the federal judge refused to hear from the justice department. Many states requested to re-appeal the enacted law. Republicans and Tea Party’s activist called it’s a government plan to take over the health care reforms. As per the general poll conducted by CNN, it was found that around 83% Americans believed that the healthcare decision was the major, important decision made so far (Reid, 2009). This kind of political influence created a roll of controversies. Though, President Obama has made the healthcare reform by taking the mutual cooperation from the parties but the bill was passed without the votes from the Republican. Neither from the House nor from the senate. It was said the final bill of the act was passed after compromising on taking ideas from both the parties. These claims were conflicting. As it was earlier represented, the act was passed on the basis of mutual agreement of both the parties. After the bill was passed, it was highlighted as a compromise (Stoleberg, 2010). This created a debate between the major parties and the minor parties. The reform started by President Obama two years ago is still in news. Majority of Americans said that, this is the best decision made so far. The decision implemented was a major part of President Osama’s domestic agendas. If there is a failure in the healthcare issues then it might bring a bad name to the party (Himmelstein, 2005). Debates regarding the health care issues were going on from past two years. Different parties opposed it in their own ways. Some parties gave a way to the controversies regarding the health care. When the act was passed, President Obama said that it was based on the mutual cooperation, while later it was heard that, it was based on the compromising situation between the House and the Senate. After winning the election polls, it surely created its impact on the polls (Terry, 2010). Earlier news was coming to defund the Obamacare. There was a protest of “Anti-Obamacare” strategy which was provoking the Grand Old Party to backlash. US Senator Ted Cruz said on September 2013 stated that the Obamacare was not working well. Texas Republican affirmed the fact that it was not working. According to them Obamacare was a disaster (Hogg, et al, 2005). It should be defunded immediately. Cruz was supported by the Anti Tea-Party movement. The Tea-Party movement wanted to shut down the government funding unless and until the Obamacare is being defunded. Recent polls showed that the Americans were also opposing the Obamacare. Even Governor Sarah Palin has responded in the favor of Senator Cruz. She stated that the Obamacare is a “Monster to be stopped” (Reid, 2009). Her statement has given a new direction to the petition against Obamacare. Senator Cruz thanked Governor Sarah Palin for supporting him in defunding Obamacare. By October 2013 every citizen has to enroll to the Obamacare. It might prove beneficial to millions of uninsured citizens of United States of America but not to the insured ones (Terry, 2010). People are being forced to pay higher premiums. Also they are being forced to pay higher taxes. People of United States of America are not happy to purchase insurance for which they are being forced. Everyone is looking up to the Republicans. Republicans in Congress can stop the Obamacare (Stoleberg, et al, 2010). If they refused to fund Obamacare. Looking into the fact how beneficial the patient protection and Affordable Care act be, it’s also true that some people are favoring while some other are opposing the fact when the government is trying to impose its decisions on its citizens. The protest regarding the Obamacare is mainly influenced by the Tea Party Movement. If economic problems related to the health care reform or Obamacare arise then it might be dangerous for the country. Now we can only hope for the decision which will serve the best for the country and its citizens (Reid, 2009). Summary Based on the discussion, it was found that Obama Healthcare reforms have certain benefits in the form of offering healthcare services and benefits. There are also certain disadvantages in the form of catering to the needs of uninsured citizens. There have been certain political parties opposing the healthcare reforms. Overall, the proposed healthcare reform has greater degree of benefits in the social environment. References Christensen, C, Hwang MD, J, Grossman MD, J (2010), The Innovator's Prescription, McGraw Hill Chang JT, Hays RD, Shekelle PG, et al. (May 2006). "Patients' global ratings of their health care are not associated with the technical quality of their care". Ann. Intern. Med. 144 (9): 665–72. Himmelstein DU, Warren E, Thorne D, Woolhandler S (2005). "Illness and injury as contributors to bankruptcy". Health Aff (Millwood). Suppl Web Exclusives: W5–63–W5–73. Hogg, W, Baskerville, N; Lemelin, J (2005). "Cost savings associated with improving appropriate and reducing inappropriate preventive care: cost-consequences analysis". BMC Health Services Research 5 (1): 20. Levy A.R. et al. (2010). "International comparison of comparative effectiveness research in five jurisdictions: insights for the US". Pharmacoeconomics 28 (10): 813–30 Reid, T.R. (2009). The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper and Fairer Health Care. Penguin Books. Stolberg, Sheryl Gay; Pear, Robert (2010). "Obama signs health care overhaul bill, with a flourish". The New York Times. p. A19 Terry L. L (2010) Phantom Billing, Fake Prescriptions, and the High Cost of Medicine: Health Care Fraud and What to do about It. Cornell University Press. Read More