The number of people who have gained health coverage because of the Affordable Care Act is staggering. There have been eight million enrollees in the health insurance exchanges and six million new Medicaid beneficiaries. According to ACAsignups.net, all told, between 17 million and 28 million U.S. residents have gained coverage as a result of the ACA.
The Obama administration and other ACA supporters crowed about the large enrollment figures, offering them as evidence that the law is working as intended. However, to paraphrase a common axiom, no good news comes without consequence.
While many agree it is good news that more U.S. residents have access to coverage, the influx of insured residents also means that the focus might need to be redoubled on a pre-existing problem: a shortage of primary care providers. Read more here.
