Election Results Will Affect Affordable Care Act’s Future

General.

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A 2016 Gallup poll found that 44 percent of Americans approve of The Affordable Care Act while 51 percent do not support it.  Currently, 11 percent of the population remains uninsured compared to 16 percent in 2010; but despite apparent success, health insurers are concerned about Obamacare’s financial sustainability and more than 50% of Americans say Obamacare has had no effect on them. The November elections will likely determine many key issues regarding healthcare. According to the website BallotPedia, this is how the candidates line up on the ACA and related issues, based upon key statements. 

Hillary Clinton (Democratic Party)
* Reacting to the news that ACA rates would increase an average of 22%, spokesperson Julie Wood issued a statement reaffirming Clinton’s support of the program, stating that insurance companies must not be allowed to write the rules again, which could see 20 million people lose coverage. She vowed to build on the progress made and fix what was broken. 
* Clinton’s plan would integrate mental health into the physical health care system, recognizing the needs of one in five US adults who need equal access to care and quality treatment.
* In July, Clinton announced changes to her healthcare platform, including offering a public-option insurance plan and allowing Americans to enroll in Medicare when they turn 55. 

Donald Trump (Republican Party) : 
* On March 2, Trump released a seven-point plan for healthcare reform. The plan included repealing Obamacare, reduce barriers to the interstate sale of health insurance, instituting a full tax deduction for insurance premium payments for individuals, requiring price transparency, block-grant Medicaid to the states, and allow for more overseas drug providers through lowered regulatory barriers.
* In a July 2015 Forbes interview, a Trump spokesperson said, “Mr. Trump will be proposing a health plan that will return authority to the states and operate under free market principles. Mr. Trump’s plan will provide choice to the buyer, provide individual tax relief for health insurance and keep plans portable and affordable. The plan will break the health insurance company monopolies and allow individuals to buy across state lines.
^ Running mate Mike Pence both voted against the Affordable Care Act in 2010, and in 2012 voted to repeal the ACA.

Third Party Candidates:  

* Gary Johnson (Libertarian Ticket) is a strong opponent of the ACA, calling it a “torpedo in a sinking ship” and stating he was “opposed to government-mandated health insurance, period,”

* Jill Stein (Green Ticket) has expressed support for a single-payer system, “Medicare-for-all”, citing it will save the US $400billion per year. She has voiced  concern over vaccine safety and government oversight of mandatory vaccinations; and supports a Green New Deal to drastically improve the environment and quality of our food supply in order to combat illness and aid prevention. 

Ajamu Baraka (Green Ticket) is a strong proponent of a single payer system, stating “It is unfathomable that the US does not a have a single-payer system when it spends more money per capita on healthcare than any OECD country,”