By Sandy Ahn and Rachel Schwab
Despite the gloom and doom surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when we look back at what the ACA has achieved, there is cause to celebrate this holiday season. Six years after President Barack Obama signed the ACA into law, we have the lowest uninsured rate and record enrollment numbers on Healthcare.Gov, showing just how much people need and want comprehensive health insurance. As we hum along to our favorite holiday hits, CHIR has composed a new carol to pay homage to the monumental health care law that has led to unprecedented coverage and consumer protections. Happy holidays!
To the tune of “Twelve Days of Christmas”
On the first day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the second day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: out-of-pocket cost limits and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the third day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the fourth day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the fifth day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: A-P-T-C, automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the six day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C , automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the seventh day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: summary of benefits & coverage, Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C , automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the eighth day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: free preventive services, summary of benefits & coverage, Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C , automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the ninth day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: cost-sharing reductions, free preventive services, summary of benefits & coverage, Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C , automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the tenth day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: ten essential health benefits, cost-sharing reductions, free preventive services, summary of benefits & coverage, Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C , automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the eleventh day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: expanded dependent coverage, ten essential health benefits, cost-sharing reductions, free preventive services, summary of benefits & coverage, Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C , automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
On the twelfth day of coverage, Obamacare gave to me: rights to appeal, expanded dependent coverage, ten essential health benefits, cost-sharing reductions, free preventive services, summary of benefits & coverage, Medicaid expansion, A-P-T-C, automatic renewal, a ban on preexisting conditions, out-of-pocket limits, and the lowest uninsured rate in history.
Thanks, Obamacare.