By Donna K. Hammaker, MGA, JD
Author of Health Care Management and the Law, 2nd Edition & Health Care Ethics and the Law, 1st Edition
The current political situation makes it probable that changes will be made to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), if it is not repealed. Although some ask why the government cannot simply get out of health care and allow market forces to regulate the industry, the history of U.S. health care is the best explanation of why this strategy does not work. The government did stay out of the individual market until it passed the ACA in 2010 at a time when millions could not obtain health insurance and costs were skyrocketing at an unsustainable pace.