Despite all the debate that goes around the PPACA, the reform has demonstrated notable achievements in the US healthcare system. The improvements are primarily associated with the Medicaid expansion, increased assess to care, enhanced self-assessed health, and better health-related outcomes. In particular, due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), in the period between 2010 to 2016, the number of people without health insurance dropped from 16.0% to 9%, which accounts for over 20 million people. In this regard, Medicaid expansion has played the most substantial role since 11 million people joined the Medicaid coverage. Moreover, regarding health outcomes, it is worth noting that from 2010 to 2013, the PPACA helped to prevent 50000 deaths, and, in 2019, the total mortality fell by 12 percent. Finally, the income of the healthcare sector has also increased partly by reducing uncompensated care and partly via income tax surcharges. This allowed for improving financial security and reducing the cost of medical services.
On the other hand, the government should develop additional healthcare reforms since the PPACA has several problems that need close consideration. The first issue concerns national healthcare expenditures that have been significantly decreased and even continued to increase. In essence, it was caused by an increasing number of people demanding Medicaid coverage and steadily increasing the cost of healthcare premiums. Because of this, the second problem that should be addressed is the amount of insurance premium for people who look after their health and for those who neglect it, for example, for smokers and non-smokers.
Concerning the single-payer system, I believe that the government should proceed with promoting this policy because it has many evident benefits for society and the country overall. In particular, the system would benefit both employers and consumers through spared administrative costs, reduced inequities between employers, and an increase in potential customers. Furthermore, the system will significantly help minorities, the poor, and rural residents who cannot afford private health insurance. Finally, as has been indicated above, it will aid in preventing many deaths and improving the health of the nation, which ultimately reduces healthcare expenditures.