Since its signage into law in 2010, the Affordable Care Act has been highly controversial, despite its positive outcomes. Through this law, eligibility for Medicaid has been expanded, allowing more people to have access to care. Additionally, the ACA added rules and conditions for insurance companies to increase healthcare coverage. For example, through the ACA, insurers could no longer deny coverage or increase costs of plans due to an individual’s pre-existing health conditions. Despite these positive outcomes, conservatives still objected to the tax increases and higher insurance premiums that came with the ACA. Because of this and other factors, multiple attempts to repeal and replace the ACA have occurred since its signage.
Though the ACA has brought forth positive outcomes in general, one significant outcome has been the law’s effect on racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare coverage and access. The Affordable Care Act has decreased the percentage of uninsured individuals, especially in racial and ethnic minority populations. This downward trend is especially prominent in states actively expanding Medicaid access. However, 12 states still have not expanded Medicaid, which reduces access to care, especially for people of color.
