The US health care system has undergone tremendous reforms over the years. The government and private sectors have developed policies that ensure health care delivery is aligned with health care reforms. The 20^th century oversaw progression in health care policies aimed at achieving universal coverage. Various governments have over the years proposed health care programs that ensure the American population can gain access to health services. When president Roosevelt proposed a publicly funded health care program 1933 withoutsuccess, the need for a comprehensive health coverage gained popularity. The enactment of the Social Security Act in 1965 saw the creation of Medicaid and Medicare health programs. Medicare is a federal insurance program that provides coverage to citizens over the age of 65 and people with disabilities. Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health coverage to families with low incomes.

President Barack Obama’s administration proposed further health care reforms through enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. Popularly known as ObamaCare, these reforms targeted to increase the number of people with health coverage. These reforms succeeded in increasing the number of people with health insurance coverage. Under these reforms, no insurer can deny coverage to an individual due to any pre-existing health coverage. Individuals and families who qualify but do not meet Medicaid eligibility criteria receives subsidies for health care services. Employers were also mandated to ensure a certain size of their employees have health insurance. States were also permitted to increase the proportion of low income families that can be enrolled for the program. Individuals were also mandated to ensure they have coverage or face paying a penalty. This was to encourage the population to enroll and maintain insurance cover. However, the penalty clause has since been repelled. ACA reforms represents the largest and most comprehensive health reforms in history.

Reference

Manchikanti, L. (2017). Evolution of US Health Care Reform. Pain Physician, 3(20;3), 107-110. https://doi.org/10.36076/ppj.2017.110