This discussion addresses module outcome 2. In this module you learned about the consequences of race, class and gender to health care access and outcomes. You learned about the creation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from its first iteration by President Harry Truman through its implementation by President Barack Obama. Key Features of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 are reviewable in this link, and you could consider the optional articles by Brill, Gawande, and McDonough.

You learned theories of how medicine functions as a social institution and how inequality creates dysfunction. You will be asked to discuss the ACA and critically assess it from the perspective of social theory.

Before beginning this activity, be sure to read the Module Notes and the assigned readings and viewings. Use as much detail from the readings and other learning materials in the module as possible to answer the following questions.

1. Briefly summarize the ACA as described in the textbook. Be sure to include, briefly, key aspects of the health care measures that were passed into law as well as the history of the development of the act as outlined in your module readings.
2. Apply either structural functionalism or conflict theory to a critical discussion of the ACA. Does it help or impede health care access or outcomes in the US? You can use both theoretical approaches if you feel they both apply.
3. Finally, if you had an hour with the President to make recommendations on how to improve the ACA, what would you suggest? Be specific.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings with proper APA style formatting.

For assistance with APA style formatting, visit the Library or the Excelsior OWL.

Attachments:

• 1497525174-mod7_0.pdf