As his final weeks as president come to a close, President Barack Obama defended the ACA saying although the law isn't perfect, "it's worked," according to U.S. News & World Report.
Here are six things to know:
1. Open enrollment for ACA plans commences on Nov. 1, 2017, giving the Obama administration a short window to appeal to Americans to sign up for coverage.
2. Earlier this week, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said she projects 13.8 million Americans to sign up for 2017 coverage, slightly up from 12.7 million Americans who signed up for coverage this year.
3. President Obama's health law has provided millions of Americans coverage, but legislators from both parties have critiqued the ACA as premiums skyrocket and payers leave state exchanges.
4. Despite criticism, President Obama is imploring both parties to be honest about what is working and what legislators need to fix. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), however, said the law cannot be fixed and officials need to replace the ACA with "patient-centered reforms." Speaker Ryan believes the reforms would provide Americans more choice and control concerning their healthcare needs.
5. To improve the ACA, President Obama said states that opted to not expand Medicaid should do so, thereby bringing health insurance to millions of more Americans. He also argued for giving tax credits for middle-class Americans and young adults to help them afford coverage.
6. President Obama also believes a public plan fallback would help provide more options for Americans, particularly those residing in rural areas.
More articles on coding & billing:
2 legislative changes impacting ASCs — Oct. 21, 2016
Clinton, Trump talk Medicare plans during 3rd presidential debate — 6 highlights
Failure to align quality measures across payers poses challenges for providers — 7 things to know