The Contributions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on Reducing Health Disparity in the United States: The Case of Louisiana

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA for short) of 2010, which was created to reduce the number of those without health insurance coverage in the United States, with focus on Louisiana. It will also examine the challenges the ACA has faced especially the “repeal and replace” efforts by the United States Congress. The problem of people having no health insurance coverage in the United States has been a long-standing issue, and there are many reasons for this condition. The most obnoxious reason is the “pre-existing condition” clause which many insurers practice which make it difficult to obtain basic health care services and policy coverage for many people. This has resulted to diminishing access to care and persistent gaps in health quality. In addition, the rising health care costs in the U.S. have imposed enormous economic burdens on the country. Latest report indicates that the U. S. spent $3.6 trillion (17.7% GDP) on health care in 2018 (up 4.6% from the previous year), or $11,172 per person, up 64.4% in ten years from $6,797 in 2009. Globally, it has been found that there is a “strikingly persistent and pervasive pattern of inferior health” in the U.S. than in peer countries that spend less. These problems have adversely impacted the health of many Americans which has created an underclass unable to access health amenities. As a relief, the ACA was introduced to address these issues. Using Louisiana as a case study, this paper argue that the ACA has helped to broaden health care access and reduce health disparity in the U. S., and the efforts by Congress to “repeal and replace” the health law would undermine health care access, and induce negative economic impacts. In addition, it strengthens the case for universal health coverage in the U. S., and underscore the efficacy of evidence-based policy solutions in addressing population health, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further illuminated the depth of health disparity in the United States. Methodically, the paper will review and analyze publicly available data on health access since the ACA, government reports, and published survey and research findings. The findings will add to the body of knowledge on health care reform toward developing a sound public policy.

Keywords:ACA, health disparity, Black, White, Medicaid expansion, access, affordability, repeal, United States, Louisiana.

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-9-04

Publication date: November 30^th 2021