AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

March 23, 2010 President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law.

Provisions Requires most US citizens and legal residents to have health insurance. Create state-based American Health Benefit Exchanges through which individuals and businesses can purchase coverage Those w/o coverage pay a tax penalty of the greater of $695 per year to 2.5% of household income up to $2085. (phased in $95, 1% 2014, $325 or 2% 2015, $695 or 2.5% 2016) (Challenged in SC – upheld) Employers w/ 50 or more full time employers that do not offer coverage receive tax credit of $2000 per employee Employers w/ more than 200 employees must automatically enroll employees in health coverage; employees may opt out

Provisions Expand Medicaid to ppl under 65 w/ incomes up to $133% FPL based on AGI (undocumented immigrants not eligible) (Challenged in SC – struck down) Limit premium credits and subsidies to US citizens and legal immigrants to meet income limits (between 2% and 9.5% of income based on income) Small businesses w/ fewer than 25 employees and average wages of less than $50,000 that purchase health insurance through their jobs receive tax credit of 35 – 50% of employers contribution Impose excise tax on insurers of employer sponsored health plans with values that exceed $10,200 for individual coverage and $27,500 for family coverage – 40% of value of plan that exceeds threshold amount

Provisions New fees on pharmaceutical manufacturing sector Annual fee on health insurance sector Excise tax of 2.3% on sale of any medical device 10% tax on indoor tanning services Create Health Exchanges Permit states to prohibit plans in the Exchange from providing coverage for abortion Require all qualified health plans offer 10 “essential health benefits” Provide dependent coverage for all children up to age 26

Provisions Increase taxes on individuals making over $200,000 / year to 2.35% and married couples making $250,000 year 3.8% (raised approximately 1%)

Was Congress justified in passing the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act? Reference: Affordable Care Act Provisions Read: Handouts – Pros and Cons / 10 “Essential Benefits” Read: Constitution Article 1 Sections 8 & 9 (A-12-14) Prepare: Your opinion and top three reasons supporting your opinion Prepare: 3 questions you would ask someone w/ opposite view to lead them to change their mind