The Affordable Care Act – From Health Policy to Implementation: Lessons Learned

Objective: In this paper, we provide an overview of how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed, the challenges it had to overcome, and modifications that were made to maintain its viability. Methods: We review the role of previous attempts to implement healthcare change. Results: Whereas the ACA has dramatically changed healthcare in the United States, further discussions will take place measuring the success of the ACA based on its own benchmarks and the future of the ACA in the current political world. Conclusions: Academicians who teach topics such as consumer health, health policy, healthcare delivery and the like may find this paper to be a readable overview of the ACA, providing the right balance of detail and perspective, while maintaining an impartial tone.