What is the Affordable Care Act?

Yesterday was the first day of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open exchanges.

It certainly didn't receive as much attention as it should have because of the media apocalypse government shut down yesterday. So let's give it some attention, because it is kind of a big deal. Where do we begin?

I could go into a history of healthcare in the U.S. and why it is important to have affordable healthcare for all. I could also tear the ACA apart and point out how incredibly flawed it is. However, the Affordable Care Act is a beginning. It isn't close to perfect, but I believe it is a step in the right direction for policy, even though that step is very small (over broken glass. without shoes, moving-forward-an-inch small.)

This video makes it perfectly clear WHY it is important to know what it is. So let's start with that.

At first glance, this clip appears to be making fun of uninformed Americans (it is a bit mean-spirited), however, it also shows  how important 'naming a thing' is. It is clear that the interviewees in the video chose to be for or against the plan (the same plan) simply based on the its name being associated with or without Obama.

So (at least as we read through this post) let's move beyond blindly supporting the ACA just because Obama sponsored it. Let us also move beyond blindly resisting it just because
Obama sponsored it.

(*brushes dust off hands*) Moving on.

So what IS it?
The Affordable Care Act was a bill that Congress passed and Obama signed into law in 2010. Even though many Republican opponents tried to kill the law, it was declared Constitutional in 2012. 

The main idea of the ACA is to make sure that all Americans have health insurance (just like car insurance is compulsory in almost all states). Because 48 million Americans are uninsured and it is causing some killer consequences to both the economy, and the quality of people's lives. 

There will be "minimum essential benefits" that every plan must cover and insurance companies can't exclude pre-existing conditions, or kick patients out when for example they get a deadly, life changing debilitating expensive disease like cancer. 

What it isn't
It isn't communism. It isn't even close. Individual insurance companies are probably going to be making A LOT of money from this. Which is capitalism. There are fewer companies with a larger share in the market, which is also a common result of capitalism. 

I currently have health insurance. Do I have to do anything?
Probably not, but I would encourage you to check out the website and see what is available.
You might find that your current insurance plan isn't available the next time you try to enroll because it doesn't meet the new standards set by the ACA. While that's kind of a bummer because health insurance is incredibly confusing to understand in the first place, and a new plan takes some time to figure out, it is also good news because you'll probably be getting better health insurance, but... you may have to pay more. So basically, just go check out the health insurance exchange. 

What is the health insurance exchange?
This is the term for the online health insurance shop that the government has set up. The site allows you to comparison shop for plans

How do I get health insurance? 
The website is actually incredibly user friendly, allowing the patron to fill in details to see what they might qualify for based on their current circumstances (age, dependents, current health insurance, etc.) I encourage you to try it out, and see! Click a few buttons, and boom. information. It is much more accessible than the 906 page act which can be found here.

What happens of I just refuse to participate?
Well, since mandatory insurance was signed into law, if you don't have insurance, you will be breaking the law. This is the much debated "individual mandate". But wait, it gets even less fun. If you don't have insurance, you will be fined a penalty that starts out at $95, or 1% of your income, whichever is higher. Details on the penalty can be found at the IRS website, here. 

So what now?
You can sign up for it here, and check out all of the details on the official site!
Coverage begins as early as January 1, 2014 and Open enrollment closes March 31. 
There is a federal hotline which can be reached at (800) 318-2596 if you have questions. 

It is going to be messy. It is going to be confusing. As any new thing is. It is not a perfect policy. As no policy is. However, I believe this is a step toward taking care of the "least of these". 

Here is a Sojourner's article from a faith-based perspective on why the Act is a healthy step in the right direction.