Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The act is helpful to low-income adults because of the expansion of Medicaid. The act also introduces programs that aid early retirees’ insurance programs. The PPACA is also supportive of workers in their old age, who would benefit from the coverage, according to Begley et al. (2012).

Employers can have insurance coverage for the group of employees that go for early retirement, between the age of 55 and 64. This is helpful to these employees since they have the assurance of insurance even if they take early insurance. The Act also expands insurance to non-employed youths aged between 19 to 25 years through their parents’ coverage. According to Begley et al. (2012), the various reforms are beneficial to employees. According to Hoffman (2011), the act reduces the burden of the cost of insurance on just a limited portion of employees. The act is instrumental because of its level of regulation of insurance rates. The various discounts on wellness programs introduced, by the act, are important and helpful to employees. The act has several financial security provisions that could help reduce the expense of medical care as well as premium cost (Hoffman, 2011). For instance, the provision that health plans should limit the cost-sharing obligation renders it cheap to afford health care.

Miller (2012) provides a contradicting opinion that the PPACA is economically burdening to the employees. The act, according to Miller (2012), has its basis in the improper analysis of its economic implications on workers. The act does not follow any explainable principle and, instead, diminishes some roles of the federal government related to the regulation of insurance. In the opinion of Miller (2012), the expansion of tax allocated to insurance would be a better policy provision compared to imposing the cost on workers. Tax expansion was a more suitable source to finance the insurance coverage stipulated in PPACA than making the workers pay for it. The individual responsibility outlined in the act is unconstitutional and unnecessary, according to Miller (2012). McDonough (2012) identifies the extent of opposition that the PPACA reviewed since its congressional debate began in 2009 to its declaration as being lawful in 2012. Those in opposition to the act highlighted the economic effects of the provisions of the law. The law would escalate the expenses of states and further create a burden on their budgets. The burden and effects of the burden roll down to workers who directly pay for it.

In general, there are more benefits to workers that come with the approval of PPACA than those having the contrary opinion present. It remains the basis of success in achieving reforms in the country's health insurance system. The act places the role of employers in ensuring efficiency in health insurance at the center and, therefore, creating remarkable changes (Eibner, Hussey & Girosi, 2010). Insurance supported by the employer increases efficiency in expanding the cover of employees. Full implementation of PPACA would transform the health insurance markets in the country. It would help to change the decision of workers concerning enrollment for health insurance coverage. The act places various advantages on workers. There is a notable reduction in direct expenditure out of pocket. High out-of-pocket expenses, notably, are one of the factors that contribute to the low coverage of workers and reluctance to enroll in insurance programs.

The benefits of medical services would increase largely with the implementation of PPACA. Parents can include unemployed young adult children who are not in employment in their health plan, for instance. This increases the medical benefits granted to workers by PPACA. Increased consumption of benefits accredited to workers and inclusion of other family members as unemployed young adults in health plans encourages enrollment in health insurance. Such factors are likely to improve the funding, and, therefore, the efficiency of the health sector operations in the country. Workers, consequently, are the direct beneficiaries of the improvements in healthcare service expansion and improved efficiency.

Workers shall incur low risks in health insurance with the full implementation of PPACA. Penalties set for non-compliance from employers encourage the coverage of health insurance enrollment in the country. The introduction of subsidies for individuals also encourages workers to take health insurance coverage. The net economic implication that PPACA would have on employers with a large number is a reduction in the cost of health insurance. This would promote the enrollment of workers since the fear of the increased cost of workers’ insurance is minimal. Workers are likely to benefit from the high enrollment by employers. ...Download file to see next pages Read More