Lawrence Public Library

The human face of ObamaCare, promises vs. reality and what comes next, John Geyman, M.D

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrationschartsmaps

index present

non fiction

The human face of ObamaCare

bibliography

935714611

John Geyman, M.D

promises vs. reality and what comes next

"This book shows the human face of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or ObamaCare) as the stories of real patients and their families best illustrate continuing problems of our health care system. It also shows how many of the promises made by the Obama administration have not been kept. The big question now is: What next? The ACA has helped many millions of people since its enactment in 2010, but has fallen far short of what is needed to improve access, affordability, and quality of U. S. health care. Much of our population still cannot afford health care, and there is no cost containment in sight. Underinsurance is the new norm, with narrowed networks, high deductibles, and increasing cost-sharing forcing many people to forego necessary care. Here we take a comprehensive, non-partisan, objective look at the ACA almost six years after its passage. We also take an evidence-based approach to assessing three major alternatives for further health care reform: (1) continuation of the ACA with improvements as needed, (2) Republican proposals for its repeal and/or replacement, and (3) single-payer national health insurance (NHI)." -- Publisher's description

part 1. A myriad of problems and experiences: I had insurance, but it was canceled ; I have insurance, but my network changed ; I got insurance, but then I lost it ; My employer cut back my insurance ; I don't want or need health insurance ; I want insurance, but can't afford the premiums ; Medicaid hasn't helped me ; I have insurance, but lost my doctor ; I have insurance, but can't find a doctor ; I have insurance, but its coverage is poor ; I have insurance, but can't afford care ; I had insurance, but went bankrupt anyway -- part 2. System trends under the Affordable Care Act: More consolidation, less competition ; Increasing privatization ; Soaring costs and patients pay more ; Increased fragmentation and decreasing quality of care ; Increased bureaucracy and corporatized fraud -- part 3. What comes next? Three alternatives with different futures: Continuance of the ACA, with improvements as needed ; The Republican "plan" : "empower the patient, let competition work" ; Single-payer national health insurance

Promises vs. reality and what comes next