The American Health Care Act (AHCA) is a healthcare act proposed in the United States. It was first introduced by the Republican Party in the House of Representatives on March 20, 2017, as an alternative to the existing Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
The AHCA aims to address some of the concerns raised against the ACA by amending certain provisions. It seeks to repeal various components of the ACA, such as the individual mandate, the employer mandate, and some of the taxes imposed by the previous legislation. Additionally, it aims to alter Medicaid expansion and allocate federal funding through per-capita caps or block grants to states.
The AHCA proposes changes to the insurance marketplace, allowing the sale of insurance policies across state lines and enabling the creation of health savings accounts (HSAs) to provide individuals with more control over their healthcare expenses. The act also offers refundable tax credits, based on age and income, to assist individuals in purchasing insurance coverage.
Critics argue that the AHCA could result in reduced coverage and increased costs for vulnerable populations, while proponents argue that it provides more choice and flexibility to individuals in selecting their healthcare plans.
As of now, the AHCA has not been passed into law, but it remains a significant healthcare proposal that has generated intense debate and discussion within the United States.
