Purpose

This assignment is intended to help you learn to do the following:

• Understand the Patient Protection Affordability Care Act (PPACA).
• Understand HR 1384 - the Medicare For All Act of 2019, 116th Congress.
• Compare and critique the pros and cons of PPACA and HR 1384.

Overview

Most Americans believe changes to our health care system are direly needed. How our country addresses access, affordability of health care and how it is paid for, is the great debate. Since 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has reduced the number of uninsured Americans to unprecedented lows, however still leaves many unable to afford premiums and out of pocket costs. HR 1384 legislation is a proposal for an American single payer plan and would eliminate premiums while implementing a progressive tax approach. Though one is current law and the other a bill, explore the unique differences of each and share your perspective of which approach would best address the challenges with health care in America. Discuss how each of these plans would or is impacting you and/or your family personally.

Action Items

1. Read the following resources:
   1. As you begin your research on PPACA, the Kaiser Family Foundation site provides factual, timely data on this subject.
   2. The Big Secret About the Affordable Care Act
   3. RAND study finds single-payer viable in New York, but with big caveats
   4. What 'Medicare for All' Means, Politically and Practically
   5. The Medicare for All Act of 2019 [pdf]
   6. Side-By-Side Comparison of Medicare-for-all and Public Plan Proposals [pdf]
2. Write a 5-7 page paper addressing the following:
   1. Summarize PPACA.
   2. Summarize HR 1384.
   3. Discuss the pros and cons of each of the above plans and their potential impact in reducing the access and cost of health care
   4. Provide analysis of you and/or your family's personal medical insurance program and how you'd be impacted with both plans.
   5. Explain the type of plan, its strengths and weaknesses, and your costs. Discuss if America implemented HR 1384, what would your potential costs be, and if you have decided to retain the risk, how you currently address access to medical care.
3. Follow APA format and guidelines in your writing.
4. Submit the completed first draft of your assignment. Your work will automatically be checked by Turnitin.
5. Access your Turnitin report by reviewing your Submission Details for this assignment. Revise your work as needed based on the feedback.
6. By the due date indicated, re-submit the final version of your work.
7. Summarize your findings in a PowerPoint presentation and present it in a scheduled online class meeting.