The Affordable Care Act: triumphs and tribulations

Purpose - This paper aims to discuss key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the obstacles faced by the federal government in achieving its goal. The ACA is designed to provide most Americans with an access to affordable health care. Design/methodology/approach - Using data obtained from government sources, case law and current literature, the paper first discusses the history and background of the ACA. It evaluates the law's current status, the benefits it achieved and the legal, economic, political and social challenges that lie ahead. Findings - Although the Supreme Court upheld most of the ACA's provisions, opponents at the federal and state level are still attempting to overturn or undercut it. The ACA itself is so complicated that it has generated confusion among employers, consumers and even those who are charged with enforcing it. The extent to which the ACA can be successfully implemented is unclear, and adjustments must be made as the federal government struggles to implement key components. Originality/value - This paper should be of interest to academics, health-care and legal professionals, and to anyone who needs clarification and analysis of a still-evolving law that is certain to have an impact on most Americans.