Addressing a policy
For each policy (Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP), briefly:
Explain how the policy is addressed at the federal, state, and local level.
What programs were developed from this policy?
Reflect on how the policy affects or may affect your community, geographic area, or potential clients.
Then, address this unique prompt for this week’s Quick Guide:
Describe one strategy you would employ to help a client better understand one of the healthcare policies.
Sample Answer
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Federal: The ACA is a federal law that was enacted in 2010. It is the most significant piece of healthcare legislation in the United States since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s.
- State: The ACA gives states a great deal of flexibility in how they implement the law. States can choose to expand Medicaid, create their own health insurance exchanges, and set their own rules for individual and small group health insurance.
- Local: Local governments can also play a role in implementing the ACA. They can provide outreach and education about the law, help people enroll in health insurance, and coordinate with other community organizations to provide health care services.
- Programs: The ACA has created a number of new programs, including:
- The Health Insurance Marketplace: The Marketplace is a website where people can shop for and compare health insurance plans.
- Medicaid Expansion: The ACA allows states to expand Medicaid, which is a government health insurance program for low-income people.
- Individual Mandate: The Individual Mandate requires most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty.
- Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP): The PCIP is a temporary program that provides health insurance to people with pre-existing conditions.