What Lies Ahead for the Affordable Care Act?

A key Supreme Court ruling expected soon, and other policies and proposals playing out at the state and federal level.

2:29 PM

Author | Kara Gavin

 

The Supreme Court will rule by mid-June on a case that could affect the health care of nearly every American – with one possibility being that it will overturn the entire Affordable Care Act that has become part of the fabric of American health care over the past decade.  

Meanwhile, Medicaid expansion efforts are facing challenges in states that have not yet expanded the program for low-income people under the ACA. Federal policy changes enacted this year are leading more uninsured people to enroll in health plans while reducing insurance costs for others. And lawmakers and advocates are working on proposals aimed at addressing health equity, changing payment to health care providers and more.

MORE FROM THE LAB: Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

All while the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts have served as a major "stress test" for programs already in place.

These topics, and more, formed the basis for a recent discussion by University of Michigan health policy experts hosted by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. IHPI, which includes more than 670 researchers who study many aspects of health care including the impacts of health policies, sponsored the event as part of its 10th anniversary celebration.

SEE ALSO: The ACA Turns 10 and Faces a Pandemic, an Election and a Supreme Court Case

The panel was moderated by John Z. Ayanian, M.D., M.P.P., IHPI director and the Alice Hamilton Distinguished University Professor of Medicine and Healthcare Policy at the U-M Medical School.

It featured remarks and a question-and-answer session featuring IHPI members Nicholas Bagley, J.D., a professor at the U-M Law School, Helen Levy, Ph.D., a research professor at the Institute for Social Research, and Minal R. Patel, Ph.D., M.P.H., an associate professor at the School of Public Health.

Among the topics discussed was evidence generated by IHPI's evaluation of Michigan's Medicaid expansion program, called the Healthy Michigan Plan.

Like Podcasts? Add the Michigan Medicine News Break on iTunes, Google Podcast or anywhere you listen to podcasts.


More Articles About: Industry DX Health Care Delivery, Policy and Economics Covid-19 infectious disease
Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells
Health Lab

Explore a variety of healthcare news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.

Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories
Health Lab
What has the pandemic taught us about public health?
Joneigh Khaldun led pandemic response for Michigan; she reflects on how public health partnerships, messaging and budgets affected outcomes.
influenza sign in black and white saying keep your bed room windows open! prevent influenza-pneumonia tuberculosis anti-tuberculosis league or board of health
Health Lab
History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes
Medical historians reflect on lessons from the “Spanish flu” influenza pandemic at the end of World War I and two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
hospital homes ambulance neighborhoods apartments
Health Lab
ZIP codes matter when it comes to severe COVID-19
COVID-19 patients from areas with higher social vulnerability index scores were sicker when hospitalized, suggesting social determinants of health play a major role in COVID care access and outcomes.
100 dollar bill currency mask
Health Lab
Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 this year could pay thousands of dollars, study suggests
As insurance companies start charging members for hospital-related costs again, analysis of 2020 data shows what they might owe.
health care worker with face shield giving shot to woman with both wearing masks
Health Lab
Majority of older adults say health care workers should have to get COVID-19 vaccine
Many unvaccinated health care workers will soon be subject to a federal vaccine requirement announced by President Biden. A new poll shows most older adults support a COVID vaccination mandate for doctors, nurses and others.
senior couple on couch with doctor on laptop
Health Lab
What does the future hold for telehealth? New report gives hints
Telehealth including video visits, e-Visits and other telemedicine have ramped up rapidly during the pandemic. New data could shape future use.