The current U.S. healthcare landscape is largely shaped by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

1.The current U.S. healthcare landscape is largely shaped by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Enacted in 2010, the ACA is considered the most significant piece of legislation since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. There are eight elements of the ACA listed in our content this week. Select one of those eight elements for your discussion and provide insight into the economic impact of that element. How does the element impact supply/demand of healthcare services? What are the cost implications of the element you selected?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had a significant impact on the medical delivery system in the U.S. (and thus the costs associated with the delivery of care). Eight elements of the ACA are outlined below:
1) The ACA offered the opportunity for states to expand their Medicaid programs, with the federal government providing subsidies to offset the initial costs of expansion. For the states that chose to expand, eligibility criteria were loosened so that more people would qualify for Medicaid (which means high enrollment and higher spending). Medicaid expansion was originally drafted as a requirement for all states, but the 2012 Supreme Court ruling made the decision to expand Medicaid optional).