In March of 2012, the Supreme Court heard several days of arguments regarding certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act. Most people are aware that the ACA involves a series of laws and regulations that have something to do with health care reform. How much do you know about health reform? Can you separate the myths from the facts?
The White House has an incredibly informative page on their website that addresses the misinformation that has been spread around about the Affordable Care Act. How much do you know about the ACA? Reading over the information on that page is a good way to gain a better understand about what the ACA does, and does not, do for Americans.
Intermixed with the myths are “Quick Stats” about the ACA. These are bite sized bits of statistical information about the many ways that the health reforms have helped Americans with the cost of their health care.
Can you separate the facts from the myths? Take this quick quiz, and find out!
Q: Health insurance reform will use tax dollars to fund abortions. Myth, or fact?
A: Myth. The health reform legislation maintains the status quo of no funding for abortions. Your tax dollars will not be used to fund abortions.
Q: Health reform caused seniors who use Medicare to pay less for prescription drugs. Myth, or fact?
A: Fact. More than 5.1 million people on Medicare have saved over $3.1 billion on prescription drugs. This includes a one-time $250 rebate check that was sent to seniors who fell into the “donut hole” in 2010. It also includes a 50% discount on brand name drugs that went into affect in 2011.
Q: The Affordable Care Act’s individual responsibility requirement is unconstitutional. Myth, or fact?
A: Myth. Legal experts and federal judges appointed by both Democrats and Republicans agree that the individual mandate is constitutional. The Supreme Court has not yet made any decisions regarding the ACA.
Q: Over 105 million Americans no longer have lifetime dollar limits on their health insurance coverage. Myth, or Fact?
A: Fact. The health reform law prohibits insurers from imposing lifetime limits on care. Annual limits are being phased out by 2014.
Q: Health reform will lead to a government takeover of health care. Myth, or Fact?
A: Myth. The ACA doesn’t put the government, or health insurance companies, in charge of health care. It puts people in charge. The ACA strengthens existing employer-based health insurance, and makes the insurance market more fair for consumers. There is no government-sponsored, public, or “single payer” plan in the ACA.
Image by Seansie on Flickr