RUNNING HEAD: Affordable Care Act 1 Affordable Care Act 2 ACA Healthcare Policy Busola Omolayole Walden University TN006 Policy and Regulation Supporting Informatics and Technology Integration 2/3/2020 Affordable Care Act (ACA) The affordable care act (ACA) policy was signed into law by the previous U.S. President Barack Obama in March of 2010 (HealthIT.gov., n.d.). The policy shares the responsibility of providing access to reasonable and good-quality health insurance by the government to individuals, employers in the United States. It is aimed at improving access and expanding health insurance coverage to all U.S. citizens and combat healthcare spending and costs (Quadagno, 2019). Also, the policy increased accessibility to care and quality care services, which determine the overall health in the U.S. Health insurance companies cannot deny coverage of preexisting conditions and cannot increase premiums based on medical conditions. Impact of the ACA on System Implementation After the 2016 open enrollment period, 17.6 million uninsured citizens obtained coverage through ACA; the uninsured rate fell below 10 percent that same year. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.). ACA has a significant impact on system implementation, according to industry experts. ACA supports Medicaid expansion. Make healthcare coverage more affordable and fair. The establishment of new health insurance marketplaces, also known as exchanges and implementation of market reforms, is another issue that is being addressed (HealthIT.gov.,n.d.). Providing care for people who live on a limited income or have a preexisting condition. Strengthening access to preventive and primary care. Increase healthcare quality at the same time decreasing careless expenses and increasing being accountable (PolicyMedical., n.d.). ACA has provisions that give system implementation a motive to build and enforce new policies that target increased efficiency (Ruffin, 2019). ACA is poised for consistent growth through value-based medications in the presence of evident uncertainty with a gradual repeal of the ACA for many payers in the care sector. Through growth in clinical care and public programs, being strategical in investments in public health (PolicyMedical., n.d.). By collaboration amongst the government, individuals, and employers, Americans can attain universal healthcare. ACA has Improved Outcomes and Efficiencies ACA has increased care coverage to millions of U.S. citizens. As a result, there is an improvement in care quality services since the healthcare cost is subsidized. Those with health insurance access better services in the United States (Huang et al., 2019). The wide range of plans resulting from ACA increases efficiency .