Granted, the name implies “affordable” healthcare, even though costs really are not lowered. The law should have been named the “Access to Care Act.” With that said, 22 million new people now have access to healthcare according the Department of Health and Human Services. Preventative medical services for different types of cancers, depression and blood pressure were thrust to the center of a system that rewards disease over deterrence.
Patients’ voices actually matter under the ACA. Both insurance companies and provider payments are contingent upon patient satisfaction benchmarks and hospital readmissions for an illness. Finally, the ACA expanded equal protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The legal protections also forced insurance companies to provide a reason for denial of any healthcare insurance claim within 30 days.
Why does this matter, you may ask? Well, imagine going to your favorite store and no matter what time you go only two of 28 registers are open! You know the lines will be long. You know customer service will be average at best but there’s always something that you need. Then imagine a new law tells this store that they can get 22 million new customers, but will only receive full price for their products if their customers are happy with their service.
Next thing you know, ALL the registers are open! Blue shirts are swarming customers with the Chick-fil-A style “my pleasure to serve” smiles. Now imagine, the law changed while the regular and 22 million new customers were shopping. The new law basically says we do not care about that quality or equal protection stuff anymore. So, your favorite store closes down all but two registers and raises the prices of their products. Lines are longer and quality is worse.