Nathan Smith

Professor Eaker
March 27, 2014
ENGL-1102-001
Voices of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Regarding what has come to be known as Obamacarare, or the Affordable Care Act
(ACA), there are primarily three groups of people whose voices are most readily voiced in the
debate over the act and its policies. People employed by hospitals in border states, small business
owners, and the previously uninsured all hold a great deal of sway in the conversation regarding
the ACA.; however, it is important to note that each has its own outlook on the issue due to the
circumstantial factors which give the group its common identity and outlook. Additionally, this
outlook is genuinely restrictive, in that an individual would generally have no impetus to address
the issue at an angle that varies from their own unless they address the issue with an objective
lense, and it is with this restrictiveness in mind that this paper goes about analyzing each facet of
the discussion occurring between the individual groups.
People employed by hospitals, and the hospital administration themselves, are quite
adversely impacted by the policy changes of the ACA when the hospital resides on one of the
border states; this is largely due in part to the great increase in migrant population, and number
of individuals who are impacted by the migrant population on an individual or system-wide
level. Changes implemented by the ACA mandate that all individuals present a claim of
insurance in order to receive care in non-emergency situations, and any other form of care
received otherwise will be allotted to the cost of the foundation itself (Stein 2-3). The change that
lays responsibility on hospitals for care received increases the financial burden for hospitals in
border states by a great degree, but will also likely have an impact on the quality of care
received. Preventative care is necessary in preventing emergency-room visits and maintaining
quality of life, but with care restricted to mainly naturalized citizen, it will be difficult for the
migrant population to receive care outside of major impairing events.
Small business owners have long-since been at odds with the need to provide health
coverage to their employees, since it is often costly for them to do so, and they often lack the raw
capital to provide coverage to every employee at a desirable level. The changes in the ACA
impose a tax penalty for small business owners who do not provide proof of insurance for their
employees; however, new insurance plans are being offered to employers in an attempt to help
them affordably provide coverage. Another problem that arises is the deadline that must be met
by current employer who wish to receive a tax exemption on the ground of health coverage, but
the deadline is fast approaching, with some yet to fulfill it (Lowe 19-21). Employers in general
do not see this change as one beneficial to them since it is they who will have to foot the bill on
the policy change; however, the tax exemption for doing so, and the increased affordability of
existing plans may help to circumvent or even reimburse the cost.
Probably the most populous voice in the discussion of the effects of the ACA is that of
the previously uninsured. Whether they were uninsured out of economic decision or due to lack
of need, both face an additional cost in their daily lives as a direct result of the implementation of
the ACA, through tax due to being uninsured or due to policy cost. The uninsured masses are
comprised mainly of the midwest and southern states, where the availability of health care,
namely hospitals, decreases. If one does not have feasible access to care, it is only logical that
one not pay for health coverage. As a direct result of this, many individuals in this situation are
being "unfairly" taxed because many are simply in too rural of an area in which to fully utilize
their health privileges.