Identify and briefly discuss a national policy, law, or act that has been implemented in the United States. How do you think it has helped to shape public health? Express and explain your opinion on whether the expected outcomes of the legislation were equally experienced across all populations and communities. 

REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 WORDS EACH)

                                                 CLASSMATE’S POST

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a law that was implemented in 2010 that allowed for equal legislation across all communities. The goal of ACA is to provide affordable health insurance to more people. The program offers subsidies to households with lower income to minimize the cost of healthcare plans. Medicaid covers all adults that fall below the federal poverty level. Health Affairs reports the benefits of the ACA citing, “reduced income inequality between racial/ethnic groups, age groups, and people of higher and lower educational attainment”. (Affordable Care Act reduced income inequality in United States, 2021) It has shaped public health by providing more households with the opportunity of having health insurance. This allows more families to get treatment for medical issues and maintain medical visits for prevention. It also decreases debt due to unpaid medical bills. Taxpayers will no longer have to take on higher premiums due to unpaid medical bills as well.

                                                                     References

Affordable Care Act reduced income inequality in United States. (2021, January 11). Retrieved from Health Affairs: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-01-income-inequality-states.html