Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act The Affordable Care Act (ACA) “dismantles Obamacare’s taxes and mandate penalties, unwinds the law’s one-size fits all programs, and helps transfer control of health care back to the states and the American people,” (American Health Care Act, n.d.). The American Health Care (AHCA) Act replaced the ACA. A “Cost benefit analysis (CBA) in the federal rule-making process is the systemic examination estimation, and comparison of the potential economic costs and benefits resulting from the promulgation of a new rule,” (Perkins, 2017). Unfortunately, in my opinion, legislators are so hyper-focused on being elected/re-elected, that much of what they say is influenced by the popular desire of voters. Often times the individuals running as legislators, already have their own opinions in place, but by stating one thing, and having another happen, we lose trust in the individuals we vote for. By providing a CBA, it would provide clear data on how certain laws would benefit us, or contrary, how they would not, especially when it comes to the AHCA, because all individuals are affected by it some way or another. However, CBA’s also take time and cost money, but it would provide clear data. By providing facts, and us voting for what we believe in, legislators that the majority of the people agree with, would win. By holding up to what they say and their proven data, their chances of being reelected would be greater. To be specific with how a CBA in regards to efforts to repeal/replace the ACA would assist in reelection of legislators, is the majority of the people would be able to vote at which they would be most benefited. Medicaid programs are currently at the state levels, so state legislators need to come up with a CBA for their state funds in regards to healthcare and costs. The problem is if we give medicaid to all, “The fear is increasing overall health expenditures for the U.S,” (Milstead & Short, 2019). “Any changes to the ACA should be designed to reduce, not increase, the federal debt. Savings from repealing parts of the ACA must be large enough to not only finance repeal of any of ACA’s offsets, but also pay for whatever “replace” legislation is put forward,” (The Cost of Full Repeal of the Affordable Care Act, 2017). This is where the CBA data would be really beneficial. According to (National Council for the Social Studies, n.d.), in order for legislators to be reelected, legislators must be aware of not only the political climate but also how certain votes will affect their ability to stay in office. They must be aware of current issues and have factual data that does not favor one side more than the other. They also must be aware that there’s better times for certain agenda’s as its a bigger issue to people and something that will interest them. Specifically for healthcare, legislators must know the current statistics of people insured, how they are insured, and what the coverage entails. They must provide factual data how certain policies will benefit everyone to gain the majority votes.
