PPAC
Table of Contents
The Health Care Bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPAC) was passed on 21st March, 2010 by the United States House of Representatives. U.S. President Barrack Obama then signed this Act into legislation in 23rd March, 2010 with the goal of overhauling the American health care system to give a soft landing in terms of access to medical insurance by the wider American populace. (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2011) This essay, therefore, will provide a summary package of the health care bill and address its impact in the community.
Summary and Impacts of the PPAC
The PPAC has been supported and censured by concerned parties with all of them giving strong reasons for their stance. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (2011), the PPAC incorporates small business tax credits that makes health coverage for small business employees affordable; removal of pre-existing coverage exclusion for children which curbs exclusion of children from health plans; a free prevention and wellness visit in Medicare that guarantees an annual visit as a prevention measure; removal of lifetime limits on coverage; expanding community health centers; and ensuring value for the premiums paid. (United States Government Printing Office, 2010).
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PPAC has attracted several interest groups with some throwing their full weight behind it while others shooting down at it. Some of the gainsayers include the American college of physicians, National Associations of Community Health Centers, American Public Health Association, American Academy of Nursing and American Federation of State. The naysayers on the other hand, include U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Petroleum Institute, Printing Industries of America, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and National Association of Manufacturers to name just a few. These clashing reactions are a consequence of the foreseen impacts of the PPAC legislation.
One of the impacts induced by this bill is an increase in taxes for those who earn higher income or wages in order to cushion those earning less. The naysayers reason that this move is biased as they alludes that those who own high income, benefit the most from the health services. They continue to note that imposing higher taxes on the top earners is detrimental to the gross domestic product as it encourages individuals to earn less so as to reduce the tax burden. Further, the community pharmacist has benefited in the sense that any draconian cuts on the generic drugs have been curbed and, therefore, pharmacies have saved some significant amount of money. Moreover, Pharmacists who have already been accredited stand to save time and some huge amount of money since they will not be required to undergo re-accreditation. (National Community Pharmacy Association, 2010). PPAC has also ensured that health centers at the community level are expanded to improve health status of the community members.
Furthermore, the elderly have also benefited since the lifetime limits on coverage have been faced out. The young adults have also been brought on board by this health package and as a matter of fact can stay on the family policy up to 26 years unless the young adult has qualified for employer health coverage. Americans with pre-existing conditions such as children are not discriminated against. All these noble initiatives have thus increased the life expectancy.
Conclusion
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care legislation is a dream-come true for the American majority. Even though some are against it, a cost/benefit analysis shows that it is a viable endeavor that will redistribute resources to the general American populace in a legitimate way. Talk about taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
