The Nursing Professional’s Position on the ACA
In the nursing professional position as a caregiver, one should state the necessity of understanding the importance of providing as many patients with healthcare services as possible. However, the question is in the quality of these services, which can be doubted if the appropriate steps would not be implemented (Seo et al., 2019). For example, the importance of nurse training to reduce burnout and stress due to the increased number of patients and bigger workload should be considered (Nickitas et al., 2019). However, if managed accordingly and rationally, the nurse professional may support the Affordable Care Act (ACA) because of the potential improvement of the entire nation’s health state.
Two Components of the ACA with Potentially Unjustly Effect
The first significant component of the ACA that may unjustly impact specific populations is the insurance strategy. Particularly, one of the ACA’s goals is to expand the medical program for more adults with incomes below 138% of the poverty level (Affordable Care Act (ACA), n.d.). It means that these people will be obliged to acquire the services and insurance despite the fact that it will cut a significant part of their salaries. It means that they will have whether the absence of insurance or particular problems or gaps in it. According to Seo et al. (2019), “but those with insurance gaps were significantly more likely to report having difficulty obtaining medical care.” (p. 1). Therefore, these issues may unjustly influence this people’s category due to its lack of financial resources.
Another potential component with an adverse effect on particular people is to expand and improve innovations in medical care delivery methods. In other words, specific technologies will be used to provide more patients with healthcare services. However, there are many potential problems in this way. As an example, one can state the approach with the Telehealth method. Particularly, the patient needs specific technical equipment such as a camera, microphone, laptop, smartphone, and others to maintain a constant connection with the healthcare provider (Garfield, 2016). It has an adverse effect on the client’s budget, and many people, therefore, are not able to purchase these gadgets. In the case of the ACA component, the potential worsening and injustice can occur in the same way when innovations in delivery require patients to acquire specific machines.
The Current Political Climate and the ACA
The current political climate in the United States may be assessed as shaky and unstable in terms of sustaining the principles and components of the ACA. This conclusion is based on the expected elections in autumn 2024. It means that the current political party with President Joe Biden can apply various strategies, including controversial and unexpected ones, to solidify and strengthen their positions before the elections (Seo et al., 2019). It is caused by the potentially severe competition between Biden and Trump. Therefore, the ACA can be replaced and repealed if it will be advantageous for the current President’s ratings.
Reasons for Keeping or Replacing the ACA
The significant reason for keeping the ACA is its practical usefulness in increasing the number of people with insurance. For example, in 2016, the percentage of insured people was 16.6 % compared to 2013, when only 10 percent of people under age 65 were insured (American Public Health Association, n.d.). Another positive rationale for keeping the ACA is that it reduces the costs of healthcare insurance (American Public Health Association, n.d.).
However, the first fact that can be stated as a reason for the replacement of ACA is a negative effect on some businesses. Employers impose particular regulations and rules for their workers while trying to keep them in job positions regardless of their healthcare insurance. Another adverse aspect is its political instability. While being criticized by many influential political figures, the ACA can be the subject of debate as a political campaign
References
Affordable Care Act (ACA). (n.d.). HealthCare.gov. Web.
Garfield, R. (2016). The coverage gap: Uninsured poor adults in states that do not expand Medicaid. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Nickitas, D. M., Middaugh, D. J., & Feeg, M. D. (2019). Policy and politics for nurses and other health professionals: Advocacy and action. (3rd ed.). Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Seo, V., Baggett, T. P., Thorndike, A. N., Hull, P., Hsu, J., Newhouse, J. P., & Fung, V. (2019). Access to care among Medicaid and uninsured patients in community health centers after the Affordable Care Act. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), N.PAG. Web.
Why Do We Need the Affordable Care Act? (2017). American Public Health Association. Web.