Reference no: EM133793467

Question

The ACA aimed to reform the United States' healthcare system to ensure quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans and introduce mechanisms like health insurance marketplaces and government-subsidized insurance packages to control costs. It seeks to address insurance inequities with reforms such as protecting those with disabilities from discrimination due to medical history or pre-existing conditions, removing lifetime and annual caps on essential health benefits, and requiring insurers to provide these benefits. It also allows young adults to stay on their parents' plans until 26 and enables states to expand Medicaid eligibility to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, all aimed at reducing healthcare access barriers and the number of uninsured (Nesbit, 2022). Impact of Public Policy on Healthcare Distribution: Public policy, including the creation of ACOs (groups of healthcare providers working together to deliver coordinated care to Medicare patients), is vital in addressing healthcare fragmentation. ACOs' success in providing high-quality care while managing costs indicates progress in resolving systemic inefficiencies, as they benefit from savings generated for Medicare. Fragmented care, involving multiple providers, transitions, and frequent hospital visits, risks patient outcomes, leading to inappropriate medication use and higher mortality. Improved outcomes are linked to consistent care from a primary provider,