The affordable care act that’s not so affordable 

The most recent Democratic presidential debates created a platform for candidates across the political spectrum to express future hopes for the U.S. The common ground of the debates was the discourse surrounding healthcare, specifically, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The Repulican side has discussed the need for change within healthcare at various forums throughout Donald Trump’s presidency. Both Republican and Democratic Parties discussed the prominence of health care issues in society. 

The commonality amongst candidates is the need for urgency from legislation. The differences root in how to solve it. While one side holds firm that socialized medicine is not the answer, the opposing side seems to be running full force ahead in the direction of medicare-for-all. 

During the Democratic Debate, candidates’ most defining moments surrounded the topic of healthcare. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders believes giving money away is the answer. This is also known as socialism. The money he plans to give away is not coming out of thin air. Taxpayers would pay more for a healthcare system they didn’t want in the first place. While everyone thinks that socialized medicine will be cheaper, they fail to account for the dramatic increase in taxes that will occur.  

Let’s break down what the candidates truly believe. The ACA was initiated and companies had more leverage with the healthcare that was provided. Companies were told to offer employees “affordable” healthcare. If an individual signs up for an employee based coverage, the cost needs to be manageable. 

What this mandate did not mention was that the moment that other family members are added, the prices skyrocket. This specific role in the Democratic plan is doing the opposite of what was promised and is increasing the costs for families. 

One of the biggest flaws about the Democratic viewpoint is the financial aspect. Over a span of five years, the individual cost of healthcare ranged from 300-400 dollars per month. The family plan cost grew steeply higher at 900-1200 dollars per month. 

The ‘universal health care’ currently implemented is a band-aid fix for the financial pit that has stemmed out of the problem in the last five years. The Republican stance on this issue is that there are financial boundaries that keep the healthcare system in the U.S functionable, a concept of supporting others while practicing fiscal self-preservation. 

The Health Care Freedom Act was a replacement to the ACA, implementing new values within the medical field. The main concept listed on page one of the Health Care Freedom Act is, “To provide reconciliation.” The healthcare renewal mentioned is the Republican view to provide financial reconciliation from the Democratically-rooted healthcare of the past. 

The Republican party goals are centered around the concept of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and Health Savings Account (HSA). Both of these plans would allow a more sustainable system that still gives back to families. One of the main differences is the HRA is owned by the company whereas HSA is the individual employee. Why do these acronyms matter? The concept of reconciliation in the Health Care Freedom Act is implemented by both of these plans. 

Each person with healthcare has other life expenses. The Deomocratic opinion mandates that it is the government’s responsibility to help people, even if this creates a dependency on federal aid instead of on the individual. The left-wing believes that the more money you make, the more you and your family should be taxed. The implementation of ACA harmed more families financially then helped, and furthermore was deemed unconstitutional in 2017, but the lingering financial effects still cost a great deal of money.

The Democratic healthcare implemented also harmed professionals in the medical field. The rise in premiums and limited medication options have been clear in hospitals, but there is a greater harm at large with the lasting effects of the ACA. “When Doctors and patients bond and connect, outcomes improve, so it’s essential that there’s a bond of trust between Doctor and patient, the relationship must be sacred,” said Dr. Kevin Campell to U.S News. He has seen the negative effects of a system that has caused a rise in paperwork for physicians. The result is less time for doctors to spend with patients, potentially harming their health. 

 The 2020 candidates – both Republican and Democratic – will continue to center their debates around healthcare, trying to find a solution. The solution is not spending a large amount of the nation’s funding while creating a sense of dependency amongst the people.