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Introduction: The U.S. healthcare system is one of the most complex and expensive systems in the world. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, the U.S. healthcare system has undergone significant changes in terms of access and affordability. In this discussion, we will analyze the key features of the ACA and the changes in its implementation over the years, as well as debates and discussions concerning the ACA based on scholarly research.

1. Are the key issues of the law highlighted? Provide a rationale.

Yes, the key issues of the ACA have been highlighted in Case 5 of the textbook and from alternate scholarly sources. The key issues of the law include providing access to affordable health care to the uninsured, improving the quality of healthcare, and reducing the overall cost of healthcare in the U.S. These issues have been highlighted and addressed through various provisions of the ACA, including the individual mandate, Medicaid expansion, essential health benefits, and creation of health insurance marketplace.

2. What are the key changes to the implementation of the ACA over the years?

There have been several changes to the implementation of the ACA over the years. The most significant change was the Supreme Court’s decision in 2012, which upheld the ACA but allowed states to opt-out of Medicaid expansion. This resulted in a significant variation in the implementation of the ACA across states. In addition, there have been changes to the availability of ACA plans and subsidies following the 2016 presidential election. The Trump Administration also attempted to repeal and replace the ACA in 2017, which was unsuccessful, resulting in the current ACA implementation.

3. What are some of the debates concerning the ACA? Provide scholarly research.

Scholarly research on the ACA has identified several debates and concerns. One of the most significant debates is whether the ACA has been successful in achieving its goals of increasing access to affordable healthcare and reducing the overall cost of healthcare in the U.S. Some studies have shown that the ACA has led to a decline in the uninsured rate, while others argue that the ACA has failed to address the underlying issues of the U.S. healthcare system. There is also a debate about the impact of the ACA on healthcare inequalities. Research has shown that the ACA has led to a significant reduction in racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access, but other studies have identified remaining disparities in healthcare outcomes. Finally, there are ongoing debates about the sustainability and future of the ACA, particularly in light of the changes and attempts to repeal and replace the ACA by the current administration.