The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered.

For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned.

To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use outside sources. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.

Current Scenario of Health Insurance Plans

Currently, in the United States, an individual is not required to purchase a health insurance plan. However, according to Section 1501 of the PPACA, beginning in 2014, “Individuals will be required to maintain minimum essential coverage beginning in 2014. Failure to maintain coverage will result in a penalty of $95 in 2014, $350 in 2015, $750 in 2016 and indexed thereafter.”

Currently, employers are not required to provide health insurance coverage to their employees. However, in 2014, the employers’ responsibility in health insurance coverage will change, according to the PPACA. This is the latest update in a long line of US health care reform efforts.

Using South University Online Library or the Internet, search on the topic of latest health care reforms. On the basis of your research and your understanding of the topic, answer the following questions:

• Track the progress of health care reform efforts in the US history starting with the early 1900s detailing the role of Presidents’ attempting to pass health care reform.
• Give your views on the AALL’s efforts to pass National Health Reform.
• What are the issues of culture, politics, and special interests in the United States that have made health care reform difficult to achieve?
• Of these three issues, which issue do you find to be the most difficult to overcome? Why?
• What is path dependency? What has this been an issue in health reform? How can the power of inertia be overcome?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of PPACA that was passed in 2010?