By Denise Myshko, Managing Editor, PharmaVOICE
The major reforms contained in the Affordable Care Act are
not scheduled to take effect until 2014, but the legislation faces legal and
political challenges. In March, the U.S. Supreme Court heard appeals related to
the legislation, and the court’s ruling is expected late June.
At issue is the individual mandate, which would require
everyone to have health insurance either through an employer or through a
state-based insurance exchange. During three days of arguments, critics argued
the individual mandate was unconstitutional.
Studies from several experts — Center for American Progress
(CAP), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Lewin Group, and the RAND Corp. —
have examined the impact of severing the individual mandate but retaining the
market reforms of the Accountable Care Act. They all find that doing so would
result in a dramatic rise in the insured population and increase health
insurance premiums compared with health reform with a mandate.
The trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has
posted a chart comparing these experts’ predications here:
Whatever the court’s verdict, healthcare reform will be a
key issue in the November presidential and congressional elections. Experts say
even if parts of the healthcare reform law are overturned, the momentum for
change in healthcare will continue. (Download the PDF article: Healthcare and the Political Landscape)
States are continuing to work to create health insurance
exchanges, which become effective January 2014. Starting in 2014, if an
employer doesn’t offer insurance, individuals will be able to buy it directly
in an Affordable Insurance Exchange, a new transparent and competitive
insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable
and qualified health benefit plans.
Stay tuned as the court’s decision unfolds.
Visit www.americanhealth2012.com for an expanded look at the intersection of healthcare and politics.
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