For those who didn't know, and those who did.

You could forgive the american people for being a little confused.

The health care reform passed in March, 2009, and continues to instigate controversy, just as it did before its legislation. 

The plan calls for the government regulation of private health insurers and standing public health care. Some say it is the best thing Congress accomplished in fifty years, others say it is a filthy government take-over and implementation of Obama-care.

The reform consists of two bills, 1) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and 2) the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. 

The PACA passed the House of Representatives in a 219-212 vote, opposed by all 178 republicans and 34 democrats. The HCERA passed 25 Mar. 2010 by a 56-43 vote.

Together these bills mean big changes for the American people. The reform will activate gradually over a four year process.  

Over this four year activation it will expand Medicaid eligibility, provide incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibit denial of coverage based on pre-existing health conditions, and ensure that 80 percent to 85 percent of plan premiums is spent or returned to the customer. In 2014, citizens without acceptable coverage will pay a penalty of $95 which will increase yearly after that, and in 2018 a tax will be imposed on high-cost, employer-provided health plans. These taxes and penalties are designed to help the plan pay for itself in the long term. 

The reform came in response to a struggling US economy and health care system. 

As of 2008, 39 percent of government budget was going to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security (OMB), 16 percent of our gross domestic product was being spent on health care (OECD), creating the most expensive health care system in the world, and yet life expectancy in the US was only mediocre, and infant mortality was at a high 6.9 for every 1,000 (Health).

The republican party argued against abortion subsidies and the “public option” which provide a government funded public insurer to the poor. These issues were retracted.

Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America employed more than 1,299 lobbyists- that is 2.3 lobbyists for every member of congress, and spent more than $200 million fighting against this reform.








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