In my experience, only a tiny fraction of Americans recognize the variety and depth of policies included in the Affordable Care Act. In fact, a vast array of policies reside in the law’s 10 titles, and so many involve interesting and compelling stories. So I’m going to start using this blog as a place to write about many of these stories, and I will call the series “Hidden ACA” so you know what I’m doing.
To start, I offer an alternative 5-year report card on the ACA. Of late, we’ve seen many columns and op-eds evaluating the ACA on its five year anniversary in March. I offer a different approach – grading the law by evaluating the success or failure of the 10 titles individually. Here’s my summary report card based on an assessment of how each ACA title has been implemented, followed by a more detailed discussion of each:
- Quality Affordable Coverage for all Americans — Private insurance reform — Grade A-
- The Role of Public Programs — Medicaid — Grade B+
- Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care — Medicare and Delivery System Reform — Grade A-
- Prevention of Chronic Disease and Improving Public Health — Grade B-
- Health Care Workforce — Grade C+
- Transparency and Program Integrity — Grade A-
- Improving Access to Innovative Medical Therapies — Grade A-
- Community Living Assistance Services and Supports — Grade F
- Revenue Provisions — Grade A
- Strengthening Quality Affordable Health Care for All.
Overall Grade – A-
Let’s consider each Title, one by one: Continue reading “Hidden ACA (1) — An Alternative Report Card”
Health Stew 