A study published in JAMA shows out-of-pocket spending is down, but premiums are up post-ACA implementation.
The study authors surveyed 83,431 adults across the nation to discover trends in healthcare insurance and found:
1. Two years after the ACA's insurance expansion, Americans reported 11.9 percent decrease in out-of-pocket spending. After the expansion, more people were eligible for Medicaid and individuals could purchase cost-sharing and plans and receive premium subsidies on the health insurance exchange, which drove down out-of-pocket spending.
2. While the out-of-pocket spending was decreasing, the premium contributions were going up; Americans experienced a 12.1 percent increase in premium contributions over the same time period, with the largest increases occurring among the higher income group.
3. Post-ACA, households reliant on Medicaid reported overall healthcare spending decreased 16 percent. Families also experienced a lower risk of out-of-pocket spending equaling more than 10 percent of household income.
4. Among the middle income group, the holds of higher premium spending increased over the study period after the ACA was implemented.
5. The study concluded that "repeal or substantial reversal of the ACA would especially harm poor and low-income Americans."