preview

Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act Of 2010

Better Essays

Introduction

In 2010, the United States took the first tangible step toward universal health care coverage, with the legalization of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent report the total population of the United States is nearly 309 million people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). In 2009, it was estimated 49 % of the population was covered under an employer sponsored insurance plan (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2009). The same 2009 data reported an additional 29 % of the population was covered under some form of government or public program (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2009). Leaving 17 % of the U.S. population vulnerable without any form of health insurance coverage (Kaiser …show more content…

“In total an estimated 2.3 million adult children were enrolled in their parent’s employer-sponsored health plan due to the Affordable Care Act” (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2011). Reports show that the young adult demographic recognize the importance of health care coverage and have started to take advantage of this new benefit. Business reported an increase in the enrolled number of adult children who would not be covered without the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2011).
In addition to an expansion of who is covered by insurance plans there were also significant changes made to what is covered by insurance plans. Insurance carriers will no deny health care coverage to individuals because of pre-existing conditions (OpenCongress). This is an advantage for individuals that cannot find coverage due to chronic conditions. The new legislation also prohibits a health plan from canceling coverage of a member unless there is evidence of fraud (OpenCongress). Insurance companies will no longer be allowed to dis-enroll members when they have an expensive catastrophic injury or chronic illness. Insurance companies will no longer have lifetime maximum benefits that cap a patient’s coverage. This provision is aimed at protecting the patient from the insurance company, however this well-intentioned provision may prove costly if there

Get Access