Obama Care: Is It Worth It?

Obama Care: Is it worth all the trouble?

In 2010, the number of uninsured Americans rose from 46.3 million uninsured to 50.7 million uninsured. The rise in the uninsured is mainly attributed to the rising cost of medical care. Seeing the many problems with America's health care system, President Barack Obama introduced the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. The Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act, informally known as Obama Care, has one main purpose: to provide more Americans with access to health care coverage. Proponents of Obama Care believe that it is a historic victory and landmark legislation that will reform the United States health care system by making health coverage more affordable and protect American citizens from the unfair practices practiced by insurance companies. While those who oppose Obama Care claim that it will lead to a socialist and unconstitutional government takeover of the health care system and will increase the cost of health care but decrease the quality of health care.

Even though there is a huge controversy on the benefits of Obama care, many American citizens such as Martha Olson are already seeing the benefits of Obama Care. Martha Olson, who has diabetes and high blood pressure, is paying less money for her health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. Olson is a rental property owner in Knoxville, Tennessee, and earns a moderate income. She currently has subsidized health benefits due to Obama Care's Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan, which costs her $425 a month. Olson used to pay $700 per month for insurance plan that she stated was "crappy" because it did not cover all the health care she needed. While many citizens are seeing the benefits of Obama Care, just as many citizens are seeing Obama Care's mandates as intrusions on their liberty. For example, Ruby was evicted from her apartment because she was unable to pay the rent. She lost all hope until she got help from the catholic charities of Washington D.C. She stated that "They've given me a roof over my head, three meals a day, and someone to talk to if I have a problem." In addition to serving food, the catholic charities of Washington D.C. assist people like Ruby with life skills, employment, and drug rehabilitation. However, the catholic charities face uncertainty due to the HHS mandate of Obama Care, which requires all employer health plans to provide free contraceptives, sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs regardless of any moral or religious objections. Institutions like catholic charities of Washington D.C. do not qualify for the mandate's religious objection. If the catholic charities of Washington D.C. fail to provide coverage for the women they serve, the charities face an enormous fine that exceeds $1.6 million. If the catholic charities are forced to pay such an enormous fine, the charities will be unable to help people like Ruby in the future. Overall, the introduction of Obama Care into the American society has created path of hope for some, and a path of hardship for others.

Obama Care, formally known as The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed into law on March 2010. On Thursday June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionally of the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in a five to four ruling. Obama Care increases health care access and lowers health care premiums for American citizens. It requires most Americans to have health care insurance or pay a penalty of $95 a year or 1 percent of their income, whichever is greater. Also, insurance companies will be required to sell policies to everyone regardless of past health history. As a result of Obama Care, tens of millions of Americans will get health coverage. But, is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act good for America?

Proponents of Obama Care claim that the Affordable Care Act provides access to quality health care because it lowers health care costs for many American citizens. The Affordable Care Act allows young adults to stay on their parent's insurance until the age of 26 (dependent provision). According to "How Obama Care Is Benefiting Americans", because of Obama Care's dependent provision, more than 73% of young adults (many of them newly college graduates) now have access to health care coverage even if they are unable to find a job right away (Lee). In addition, the affordable care act prevents insurance companies from charging higher premiums, limiting benefits or denying coverage to those who have a preexisting condition plan. It also created the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), more than 50,000 Americans have enrolled in PCIP. Also, the Affordable Care Act improves the quality of American health care system while controlling rapidly rising costs. According to the article, "The Impact of Health Reform on Health System Spending", "Without Obama Care, premiums are expected to increase from $13,305 in 2010 to $21,458 in 2019. Relative to this increase, premiums under the Affordable Care Act increase only three-quarters as much. By 2019, family premiums are nearly $2,000 lower" (Cutler, Karen and Kristoff). The above quote illustrates the fact that Obama care reduces health care costs by lowering premiums. Generally, not only does Obama Care provide access to health care coverage to those who cannot afford it, but it also stimulates the economy by lowering health care costs.

Proponents of Obama Care also claim that the new health care reform is good for the economy because it creates new jobs. The article "Obama Care and My New Invention" states that many people have complained that Obama Care will lead to disastrous results but most of these people are missing the major point. Not only is Obama care increasing medical coverage, but it will also result in a need for new products and therefore will eventually increase the cost of insurance