Research current legislation related to public health. Identify a piece of legislation you feel passionately about.

The most current piece of legislation related to public health is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This law, signed into effect by President Obama in 2010, has had a significant impact on improving access to quality healthcare for all Americans. The ACA includes provisions that expand Medicaid coverage, provide tax credits and subsidies for individuals who cannot afford insurance premiums, create health insurance exchanges where individuals can compare plans and purchase coverage, require employers to offer health insurance or pay penalties if they do not, mandate certain preventative services be covered without cost-sharing by insurers, and allow children to stay on their parents’ plan until age 26.

I feel passionately about this piece of legislation because it provides an important backstop for Americans who are unable to otherwise obtain affordable healthcare. Many people are unable to receive healthcare due to preexisting conditions or financial hardship; the ACA allows these individuals access to care through increased access and affordability of coverage. Furthermore, the ACA helps reduce costs across the entire system by incentivizing preventive care and allowing more low income people access through expanded Medicaid coverage.

In addition, I think it is important that we continue working towards making progress with our national public health initiatives such as reducing disparities in healthcare outcomes among different socioeconomic groups and providing mental health services at an affordable rate so that everyone can get the care they need when they need it. The Affordable Care Act was a strong first step in protecting vulnerable populations from lack of access or unaffordable costs associated with medical services but there is still much work left undone before we see true universal healthcare realized across our country.