Affordable Care Act--Some Myths and Facts
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the name of the national health reform law, which has also become known as “Obamacare.” The ACA creates a set of tools that can significantly address the health coverage crisis now and especially over the next few years as the law phases in.
Here are some of myths spread by opponents of the law, and the facts that refute them:
Myth: The ACA is a government takeover of health care.
Fact: The ACA keeps the private insurance system, but strengthens the watchdog role of government to ensure that consumers get choice, control, and peace of mind. Health care itself is still private, and most individuals under 65 will continue to get insurance from their employers and private insurance companies.
Myth: The ACA replaces Medicare or cuts basic Medicare benefits.
Fact: False. In fact, 18.9 million Medicare recipients have received free annual checkups and preventative services, and 4 million have received Medicare prescription discounts. The ACA will eliminate the notorious Part D “donut hole” entirely.
Myth: The ACA hurts small businesses.
Fact: Small businesses do very well under the ACA. Employers will be able to purchase insurance with large-pool savings and bargaining power. They will also receive tax credits to offset the cost of their employee premiums. Only larger companies will be fined for failure to offer coverage.
Myth: The ACA adds to the federal deficit.
Fact: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has scored the ACA to reduce the deficit.
Myth: The ACA does not actually insure anyone.
Fact: Already a million young Americans are covered under their parents’ plans because the ACA raised the age limit to 26 for dependent coverage. After the phase-in period, well over 30 million Americans now uninsured will be covered by affordable, comprehensive private insurance or (for lowest income people) a Medicaid expansion.
The ACA contains strategies to improve the health insurance worries that afflict every American household, regardless of income. It is also a smart and crucial strategy to fight poverty, by improving lives and upward mobility.
