How the U.S. Economy Has Fared Since the ACA’s Enactment
<p>Despite concerns by some that the Affordable Care Act’s changes would cost jobs or accelerate health care inflation, a new Commonwealth Fund report concludes that “the ACA has had no net negative economic impact and, in fact, has likely helped to stimulate growth by contributing to the slower rise in health care costs.”</p><p>As health economist Cathy Schoen notes, the U.S. economy has grown steadily, albeit slowly, since the law’s passage in 2010, with overall economic output and employment currently well above the peak levels seen prior to the 2008–09 recession. Jobs have increased by more than 13 million since 2010, with all the net gain in full-time, private-sector employment.</p>
<p>Schoen says the challenge now is keeping health care expenditure growth—which for four years has been rising at the same pace as, or slightly lower than, economic growth—from returning to pre-ACA levels, while at the same time maintaining access to quality care. </p>