What’s Really Going On? Unemployment Rates, Healthcare and You
The financial collapse and mortgage crisis in the United States threw the country into an economic tailspin that was slow to right itself. The passage of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 caused much controversy in the midst of these other concerns, and many people have bundled the problems left over from the Great Recession into their fears about redesigning our healthcare system for the future. A look at the facts about the new healthcare plan’s impact on the economy can help to sort out its actual effects.
The Jobless Recovery
At the beginning of the recession in 2008, the United States saw significant layoffs occurring, particularly in the construction and financial industries. These jobs have been slow to return, primarily because the banking industry tightened mortgage requirements and because laid-off consumers have not have the disposable income to spend. Computerization and the offshoring of manufacturing jobs both conspired to keep the job market tight. These factors have made it difficult for the country’s workers to find suitable employment.
Is The New Healthcare Plan Affecting Employment?
In some quarters, Obamacare is being blamed for a variety of different employment changes, such as reduced hours and eligibility rules for health insurance, but the fact is, these changes were already happening even before the Affordable Care Act was passed. Many companies depended on temporary and part-time workers to increase their revenues while keeping expenses down. Most experts believe that, as these changes go into effect on a broad basis, business will gradually become accustomed to working within this new healthcare framework.
The Affordable Care Act and You
The benefits of the new healthcare plan for average Americans will far outweigh the problems that the changeover causes. Already, young adults under 26 are able to have coverage under their parent’s plans. Sick children are no longer denied insurance coverage because of their claims. New preventive care coverages are allowing people to catch health problems early without out-of-pocket costs. These changes will all serve to lower healthcare for the entire population and will ensure healthier workers to compete in the global economy.
Predicting the ACA’s Effects
Though some corners of the political spectrum continue to issue dire warnings on how the Affordable Care Act will affect business, the example of other industrialized nations gives a more tempered view of what will ultimately occur. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel and other countries have all been able to integrate universal healthcare in various forms into their overall economy successfully. Click here for more information on the subject of the Affordable Care Act and its effect on our economy.
Author Bio:
Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.
Category: Health, Medical Insurance
