Introduction
We live in a world full of controversies and improvements, and it is hard to understand what can be done to implement the desired changes. Healthcare remains one of the most controversial sectors in American society. On the one hand, Obamacare has facilitated the conditions under which more Americans can get health insurance. On the other hand, with time, more concerns have emerged, questioning the work of insurance agents, taxes, and care quality. I want to talk about Obamacare not as an irreversible decision but as a place for improvement and address true human emotions and attitudes toward this public policy.
The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act or Obamacare is a healthcare policy that President Barack Obama introduced in 2010 to support people with low-income status in obtaining healthcare insurance. This statute is based on two major principles: to create additional health insurance marketplaces for individuals to compare their options and expand Medicaid and Medicare eligibility (McIntyre & Song, 2019). One of the happiest moments related to Obamacare was the possibility of reducing the number of uninsured people by more than 20 million (Martinez et al., 2018). However, in several years, Americans could no longer ignore the challenges they faced after implementing this policy. Private insurance was significantly reshaped, and it was necessary to pay higher premiums, and tax credits became appealing to low-income citizens, while people with high incomes should pay more (McIntyre & Song, 2019). Finally, care quality was damaged because of the increased number of patients and the inability to hire properly trained professionals or deal with employee turnover and staff shortage. It seems unfair that one group of people has to pay more to cover the needs of minority groups when similar health problems emerge and equal care must be offered.
Today, experts in different fields are ready to offer their ideas to improve the situation and ensure that Obamacare benefits every citizen. Liu (2019) says that people are equal in their dignity, and most human rights come with responsibilities and properly developed attitudes. Thus, it is correct to think of the ways to make Obamacare and all related obligations fair and equal. The expansion of premium tax credits must be discussed, so the wealthy might help subsidize the poor in terms of insurance when they can, not when they are obliged to do it all the time. Besides, the work of health insurance agents can be controlled to balance selling processes, services, and outcomes. The introduction of higher standards is the possible solution in this case. Finally, each individual deserves the right to high-quality care and treatment. People suffer physically and emotionally when these expectations are not met because of the lack of personnel or other vital resources. Obamacare care was created to improve human lives but not provoke new challenges, and an examination of the healthcare sector is required.
Considering the offered alternatives, I think it is rational to concentrate on tax modifications. First, this solution will help people understand that all of them are equal regarding their healthcare rights and choices. Second, individuals with high incomes will be protected from unfair premiums. Finally, even Americans with low-income statuses will get a chance not to focus on their inabilities or shortages but to feel like dignified members of society. The U.S. government cannot pay for all people’s health care; thus, a reliable business should be initiated to listen to people and help them make the right decisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to admit that my concerns about the chosen healthcare policy are based not only on personal observations but on the evaluation of human emotions and attitudes towards health insurance. Human health should be properly treated, and if there is a chance to solve some financial problems and contribute to well-being, it must be used. Obamacare was a meaningful step in developing equal and fair health insurance conditions. Now, it is high time to find additional resources to enhance its worth.
References
Liu, E. (2019). How to revive your belief in democracy [Video]. TED. Web.
Martinez M., Zammitti E., and Cohen R. (2018). Health insurance coverage: Early release of estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January–June 2018 [PDF document]. National Center for Health Statistics. Web.
McIntyre, A., & Song, Z. (2019). The US Affordable Care Act: Reflections and directions at the close of a decade. PLoS Medicine, 16(2). Web.