Question

In addition to premiums, consumers spent $_____ out of pocket per person on health care in 2011-4.6% more than in 2010, out of pocket costs rose fastest for outpatient care for outpatient care but dropped for prescriptions.

Answer 1

The intense reaction to increasing healthcare costs in relation to the Affordable Care Act stems from the persistent financial burden on consumers, despite the law's intentions, and the structure of insurance plans requiring significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Step-by-step explanation:

There was a strong reaction to healthcare costs and the law changes to address them because, despite the aim of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to make health insurance more affordable, many Americans experienced soaring healthcare spending. The law sought to reduce the number of uninsured individuals, which prior to the law's enactment included more than 32 million Americans, and improve the nation's overall health outcomes. Yet, many continued to struggle with high healthcare costs, often due to the structure of out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments, which contributed to the financial burden on individuals and families.