Misconceptions and myths surrounding Obamacare are so numerous that it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. With the well-being of the American people at stake, it is important for news outlets to cut thought the rhetoric and deliver an unbiased breakdown of Obamacare.
First, many believe Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act are different when, in fact, they are one in the same. Obamacare originated as a derogatory term used by those against the new healthcare laws but has since been accepted as a shorthand for healthcare reform. Another common misconception is that Obamacare will replace or significantly change Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries will not be moved off their existing program or have to buy more insurance to comply with the ACA. In addition, prices for medications and premiums are projected to stay the same for the majority of those on Medicare. Only those who earn $85,000 per person or $170,000 per couple will be subject to a slight increase.
Obamacare/ACA is designed to aid the working class, not those out of work or on welfare. Those groups will maintain access to Medicaid. Obamacare does not create a new insurance program rather it regulates how existing insurance companies do business by increasing their affordability and availability. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage based on preexisting conditions or increase premiums based on gender or age. In response, some insurance companies have increased their premiums but the ACA makes it easy to shop around for competitive rates. Finally, Obamacare will not result in higher taxes. Most will not see any change at all. These mistaken beliefs are detrimental to the great number of Americans in need of affordable healthcare and need to be dispelled. By researching sites with no political agenda like the American Nurses Association is one way we can become educated on healthcare reform. –tyesha litz
