Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The debate over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) involves a movement led by the Republicans whose aim is to oppose the implementation of ACA. Democrats who have passed without affecting any Republican vote the seven-year-old Obamacare scheme say the plan from the GOP to eliminate over 20 taxes under the law reflects a rush for the wealthy and business interests. Medicaid, which offers care for the less fortunate people, will also possibly be decreased under the Republican proposal.
There are many misconceptions and myths that people bring up concerning ACA. Some people believe that Health Care Reform would not lower the insurance rates of everyone automatically or increase insurance premiums for all. This misunderstanding is on both sides. Some people say that everybody pays less; some people say that everybody pays more. The reality is more challenging. Under the ACA, anyone who desires health care is eligible to access it for the first time. The other misunderstanding people have concerning ACA is that penalties do not require incarceration for not obtaining insurance under the ACA. Lastly, some people argue that the ACA would not decrease the benefits of Medicare or create federal commissions to make decisions at the end of life.
The ACA is particularly useful to marginalize socio-economic communities because it enhances affordability, enables the less fortunate people to access medical services and obtain health insurance coverage. Research in Arkansas and Kentucky in 2016, for example, shows that Medicaid aides extended with the ACA have enhanced self-reporting wellbeing for economically disadvantaged people. Medicaid expansion has helped people who have trouble with drug addiction to seek care in the context of the opioid crisis.
The ACA is transforming our healthcare system significantly; health practitioners, including social workers, will play a leading role in its implementation. Social workers are believed by the researchers Pivotal to the accomplishment of the ACA’s primary goals through the three top roles: patient navigators, health care coordinators and healthcare advisers. A well-coordinated strategy needs to be developed to communicate and demonstrate the cost-effective role played by social workers in the execution of this legislation.
Medical social workers have a significant influence on the community. Therefore, they have the role of clarifying the functions of ACA to the people in the community. This way, marginalized persons can get practical information about accessing affordable healthcare services.