Q1
My grading assumes that A is the highest score and F is
the lowest
Protect families’ financial health (B). The legislation genuinely makes attempts to
protect the financial health of families. The tax credits accruing to individuals
earning between 133 and 400% of the federal poverty level who purchase coverage
in the new exchanges will really help save on premium payments.
Making health coverage affordable (D). A
measure for achieving this goal seems to have been directed only at one aspect
of the problem. Besides reducing
administrative inefficiencies, the legislation should have tackled problems of
coordination in a direct manner.
Aim for universality (F). Much as it will try, the very
assumption of this goal will not make it easy to realize. A universality that
only looks at the employed can never be achieved given that there will always
be some people who will not afford.
Provide portability of coverage (B). Even
though individuals will be able to retain coverage status in times of changes
in employment, the legislation acknowledges that the type of coverage will not
be identical with each other. Limiting the role of underwriting in excluding
people with preexisting conditions is a good thing.
Guarantee choice (C). Again, the legislation
succeeds in ensuring that Americans have real alternatives to choose from. It
is only unfortunate that there are no attempts to address the inherent
complexities that have always worked to prevent such alternatives from
occurring naturally.
Invest in prevention and wellness(C). The
attainment of this goal will largely depend on the ability of to change how
American view health in the first place. It would be very important to reorient
Americans from perceiving healthcare as that which they receive when attended
to by a physician but as a holistic process.
Improve patient safety and quality of care(C).
The only tangible measure likely to improve safety and quality is the removal
of fee for service where care givers have had an incentive to recommend even
unnecessary procedures thereby compromising patient safety.
Maintain long-term fiscal sustainability (B).The
new revenue sources that the legislation will generate will go a long way in
reducing the current deficit. Coupled
with the preventative measures, there will also be a lot of savings.
Q2
The
Benjamin Family
The son and daughter who are still in college
will find a reprieve as they will be able to remain under the cover of parents
at least until when they turn 26. In addition, the heart condition of the son
will not be an issue for providers to shun him.
Jorge
Rio’s family
This family is unlikely to benefit from the
legislation in any significant way. For one, Jorge’s income is unlikely to fall
between 133 and 400% of the federal poverty level as envisioned by the
legislation. In addition, the fact that his brother is undocumented will see
him still go without coverage. Even more debilitating is the possibility of
Jorge incurring the $ 2,000 envisaged.
The
Johnson Family
The
removal of lifetime caps on cover will see Bob continue receiving the needed
care under the cover provided by George’s law firm.
Roger’s
scenario
For Roger, the individual mandate may become
an incentive to look for cover. He will continue to treat his employees the way
he has been doing since his small business has no obligation to provide cover
under the legislation. The Rogers may, nevertheless, benefit from the increased
competition.
Sam
His preexisting condition that includes a worsening
condition will no longer be an issue as to whether he can continue having
cover. The removal of lifetime caps will also ensure that he continue receiving
cover. Besides, the new preventative approaches may also have a positive impact
on him.
Fred
Falling under those earning above 133% and
below 400% of the federal poverty level, Fred will be able to provide insurance
to his employees at a cheaper cost owing to the standardized options at the new
exchanges. The new investments in preventative measures will also see him allow
his employees safe up to 50% in insurance if they register in approved wellness
programs.
Janet
The measures aimed at screening out
individuals with preexisting conditions should make her confident that she is
unlikely to get discriminated against because of her arthritis condition.
Besides, the goal of protecting financial health of families may see her remain
in her beloved home without many problems.
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