Week 13: Implementation Politics of the Affordable Care Act

Implementation process

Steps taken to enforce a newly passed law.

Regulation design state

Phase where bureaucrats create specific regulations.

Bureaucrats

Government officials responsible for regulation implementation.

Market exchanges

Platforms for buying and selling health insurance.

Federal Market Exchange

National platform for health insurance enrollment.

Consumer-friendly e-commerce

User-focused online shopping experience for health insurance.

Website complexity

Difficulties in navigating the federal market exchange site.

Bureaucracy challenges

Confusion over agency responsibilities during implementation.

Unanticipated size

Larger than expected participation in federal exchange.

Preexisting conditions

Health issues that cannot affect insurance eligibility.

Coverage until age 26

Children can remain on parents' insurance until 26.

Minimum coverage offerings

Basic health services that insurance plans must provide.

Technology challenges

Issues with the initial launch of the exchange website.

Legal challenges

Supreme Court rulings affecting ACA provisions.

Political challenges

Opposition efforts to repeal key ACA components.

Individual mandate

Requirement for individuals to have health insurance.