What is Obamacare?
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Updated March 26, 2015.
Definition:
Obamacare is the slang term for President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA for short). This federal statute was signed on March 23, 2010 and has been hailed as the most significant change to the United States' healthcare system since the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
The ACA has several aims; to reduce the costs of health care, to increase the number of insured individuals by expanding coverage, and to improve the affordability and quality of health insurance.
Included in the Act are provisions for subsidies, insurance exchanges and standard rates regardless of pre-existing conditions.
The plan offers health insurance for those not covered by private or employer health insurance plans, and those not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare.
Although Obamacare has received its share of criticism, others have identified a number of positive advantages. For example, people who otherwise would have received care at a later critical stage of illness will be eligible for preventative care. This should reduce the cost of healthcare in the long term.
In terms of the affordability of mental health care, Obamacare ensures that every American will have health insurance and potentially access to mental health services not previously available to them. For example, autism and depression screening are part of the essential services that will be insured. It is unclear how this Act will affect services for those with social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Source:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. About the Law. Accessed August 31st, 2013.
Also Known As: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PPACA, ACA
Updated March 26, 2015.
Definition:
Obamacare is the slang term for President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA for short). This federal statute was signed on March 23, 2010 and has been hailed as the most significant change to the United States' healthcare system since the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
The ACA has several aims; to reduce the costs of health care, to increase the number of insured individuals by expanding coverage, and to improve the affordability and quality of health insurance.
Included in the Act are provisions for subsidies, insurance exchanges and standard rates regardless of pre-existing conditions.
The plan offers health insurance for those not covered by private or employer health insurance plans, and those not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare.
Although Obamacare has received its share of criticism, others have identified a number of positive advantages. For example, people who otherwise would have received care at a later critical stage of illness will be eligible for preventative care. This should reduce the cost of healthcare in the long term.
In terms of the affordability of mental health care, Obamacare ensures that every American will have health insurance and potentially access to mental health services not previously available to them. For example, autism and depression screening are part of the essential services that will be insured. It is unclear how this Act will affect services for those with social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Source:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. About the Law. Accessed August 31st, 2013.
Also Known As: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, PPACA, ACA
Source...