Open enrollment for the controversial Affordable Care Act (ACA) is underway and Americans have until December 15 to finalize their plans and sign up before the end of the year.
Once called a flawless healthcare measure by congressional Democrats like Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), and Ted Deutch (D), who then helped pass it in the House of Representative for President Barack Obama to sign into law, the ACA is far from perfect.
Congressional Republicans have failed to “repeal and replace” the law countless times, but after taking office, President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress managed to strip “Obamacare” of the individual mandate within the law that forced Americans to carry health insurance.
Open enrollment for the #ACA ends December 15. Take the time now to find a plan and #GetCovered for 2021!https://t.co/AhdKYwhFJV
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) November 4, 2020
Trump later backed a lawsuit to entirely strike down President Obama’s legacy legislation because he believed that the law was “a joke” and because Congress struck down the health insurance mandate, the law was now rendered illegal.
The Affordable Care Act has proven to be unaffordable to most Americans as healthcare providers were forced to limit their exposure to plans within the healthcare law, and many (if not all) of the Obamacare plans left patients with high co-pays, deductibles to pay, and astronomical out-of-pocket expenses.
Personal Note
Since the ACA’s inception, my personal “Cadillac” health insurance plan premium has increased over 1000%.
When the ACA went into effect, I was paying $215 a month for the very same healthcare plan I have today. Over the years, and after 9 different health plans later, my monthly premium for this same plan is now $1070 a month and will climb to $1175 when I renew later this year unless I choose a lesser plan.
Like most Americans, for years I would receive a plan cancellation notice in December that stated that my health insurance carrier was no longer providing the plan that was first offered to me. Several years later, I decided to find healthcare coverage outside of the Obamacare network.
Now, for the same plan, I have unlimited access to any doctor or medical facility I desire, but for a price. A very steep price.
Because Republicans have pointed these Obamacare downfalls, and Americans have now realized that they would be limited to a compromised healthcare plan with little options, Democrats began to change their tune on the ACA.
Now Democrats say that they still support the law, but want to see fixes made to address the once ‘perfect’ healthcare measure.
The future of the ACA is uncertain.
Depending on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, the ACA could be around for a lot longer or could see its final day coming in the very near future. And let's not forget that the U.S. Supreme Court will be listening to oral arguments in California vs. Texas, a lawsuit filed to repeal the healthcare law.
