There have been several claims presented regarding the success or failure of ACA, with diverging views aligned to political persuasion. However, the legislation that was passed on political grounds has gained overwhelming support from proponents while at the same time attracting criticism from opponents. The increasing number of individuals who are insured mainly emphasized on the affordability of insurance coverage, whereas the important related issues of access to quality healthcare services have attracted very little debate.
The primary purpose of ACA was to offer access to affordable healthcare to the insured Americans. However, there have been ethical conflicts that have renewed the importance of the passage of ACA. The ethical issues associated with the passage of the act broadened health coverage mainly through market mechanisms. For example, individuals who had previously been unable to access health care coverage due to the pre-existing medical conditions, as well as low-income class, have been able to access healthcare coverage. This had been made possible through reforms made in the private market aimed at individual policies coupled with the expansion of Medicaid. As a result, the legislation builds on the private partnership in the service, which is deemed as an essential policy goal.
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There are four basic goals have shaped the American health care system. According to Sorrell (2012), Americans need quality health care and freedom of choice that can enable them to make their own decisions concerning healthcare. Next, there is a need for an affordable to ensure that there are resources for all other things. Also, Americans need fellow citizens to share in the costs associated with healthcare as well as all benefits ( Sorrell, 2012) . However, the ethical conflict arises because the healthcare system is characterized with so much controversy because of major differences in the priorities assigned to the goals mentioned. As such, social injustice happens when all Americans are not accorded equal moral concern.
The controversy experienced in the healthcare system is also linked to politics due to a misapprehension of the legislation that misrepresents public opinion. According to Morden (2017), it is necessary to understand the myths that surround the legislation that can assist in examining the facts from the perspective of what is deemed to be just to society. ACA is mainly viewed as a move towards socialism, with opponents considering as a move by the government to take over the health care system. The legislation requires that most Americans, as well as other legal residents, have access to affordable healthcare coverage ( Morden, 2017) . Nevertheless, the insurance coverage could be provided by private insurance firms, employers, state-based insurance exchanges, as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Besides, the legislation does not solicit for government control of the healthcare system ( Morden, 2017) . Rather, the main attempt is to improve both access to affordable health care and efficiency through a set of directives that should be carried out by states, private institutions, and health care insurers, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Overall, to act in response to the ethical issues associated with ACA, it is necessary to understand and sort out the myths associated with the legislation. However, several issues have emerged as a result of social injustices. Therefore, unless such issues are understood and addressed, the intent, as well as the outcome of the legislation cannot adequately and efficiently provide viable solutions to the ethical issues and political concerns that need to be tackled. All in all, physicians and other healthcare providers are mandated with moral duty and obligation to pursue the actions, which should offer and deliver effective healthcare services, and at the same time discover and address the injustices.
References
Morden, S. (2017). The Ethical Right to Healthcare in the Affordable Care Act (Doctoral Dissertation, Duquesne University. Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1140&context=etd
Sorrell, J. (2012). Ethics: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: ethical perspectives in 21st-century health care. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing , 18 (1). Retrieved from http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/Columns/Ethics/Patient-Protection-and-Affordable-Care-Act-Ethical-Perspectives.html.
