Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Health Care Reform

Health care reform refers to changes made to the way in which healthcare is delivered and financed in a country. The goal of healthcare reform is usually to improve access to care, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of care.

In the United States, healthcare reform has been a contentious issue for many years. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 and aimed to increase the number of people with health insurance and to make coverage more affordable. The ACA included provisions such as the expansion of Medicaid, the creation of state-based health insurance exchanges, and the requirement that most individuals have health insurance.

One of the most notable provision of the ACA was the individual mandate which requires most US citizens and legal residents to have health insurance or pay a fine.

While the ACA has led to an increase in the number of people with health insurance, the cost of healthcare continues to be a major concern. In recent years, there have been proposals to repeal or replace the ACA, with some lawmakers advocating for a more market-based approach to healthcare reform.

Healthcare reform is not only a concern in the United States, but also in other countries around the world. Each country has its own unique healthcare system and its own set of challenges and opportunities for reform. The goal is to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.