Access to healthcare is a fundamental right, yet many Americans continue to face barriers to affordable and quality care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health equity are two concepts that intersect and impact healthcare in the United States. In this article, we will provide an overview of the ACA and health equity, and examine how they intersect to impact healthcare in the United States.

Overview of the Affordable Care Act

The ACA, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 with the goal of increasing access to affordable healthcare for all Americans. The law includes provisions such as expanding Medicaid, creating health insurance marketplaces, and prohibiting discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.

One of the primary goals of the ACA is to increase access to healthcare for all Americans, regardless of their income or health status. Since its implementation, the ACA has led to significant increases in the number of individuals with health insurance. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the uninsured rate among non-elderly adults decreased from 20% in 2010 to 12% in 2018.

The ACA has also led to improvements in healthcare affordability. The law includes subsidies to help offset the cost of insurance for individuals with lower incomes. Additionally, the ACA includes provisions to reduce the cost of healthcare, such as requiring insurance companies to cover preventative services without cost-sharing.

Overview of Health Equity

Health equity is the concept that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their highest level of health, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, or other social factors. Health equity is important because there are significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes that exist in the United States, particularly for marginalized communities.

For example, individuals from low-income communities and communities of color are more likely to experience higher rates of chronic disease, such as diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, these communities are less likely to have access to quality healthcare, including preventative services and specialty care.

Social determinants of health, such as poverty, racism, and inadequate housing, also play a significant role in health equity. These factors can impact an individual’s ability to access healthcare, afford healthy food, and live in safe environments.

Intersection of ACA and Health Equity

The ACA has attempted to address health equity concerns by increasing access to healthcare for marginalized communities. For example, the law includes provisions to expand Medicaid eligibility to individuals with lower incomes, which has been particularly beneficial for communities of color and low-income communities.

The ACA also includes provisions to reduce healthcare disparities, such as requiring insurance companies to cover preventative services without cost-sharing. This can help to ensure that individuals from marginalized communities have access to preventative care, which can help to reduce the incidence of chronic disease.