Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society.

Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be reelected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape.

To Prepare:

Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Consider who benefits the most when policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation.

Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the votes views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Please check your discussion grading rubric to ensure your responses meet the criteria. Supported by at least three current, credible sources.

Required Readings

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)

Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 180–183 only)

Congress.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/

Taylor, D., Olshansky, E., Fugate-Woods, N., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., & Hagan, T. (2017). Corrigendum to position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 346–350. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2017.05.003.

United States House of Representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.house.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Senate organization chart for the 115th Congress. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/reference/org_chart.htm

Solution:

The ACA is one of the healthcare reforms that has faced many politics in the U.S. since its enactment in 2010, with many calling for its repeal. There is much controversy among the opponents of ACA on what should replace it. There is the need for a cost-benefit analysis to find its effects on the reelection of legislators as the main goal of legislators is to remain in office and this makes most of them support legislations that only support their dream to be reelected (Jost, 2017). The legislators must understand that repealing the ACA would lower the federal government spending on non-elderly healthcare by $90.9 billion in 2021 and $927 billion between the years 2017 and 2026 (Buettgens et al., 2016). This is a 21.1% reduction in federal spending. However, this reduction brings forth other costs including the increase in uninsured persons and a reduction of people with Medicaid expansion (Buettgens et al., 2016). Also, in estimation, 9.4 million persons who would have tax credits for private coverage would cease to receive assistance (Buettgens et al., 2016).

The state spending would rise as reduced Medicaid spending would be offset by rising in uncompensated care. Also, the stand to support ACA repeal is influenced by the legislator’s state’s administration. If the state is a republican-led state, the legislator would be pushed to………..Please click the icon below to purchase full answer at only $10