Understanding the ACA in Chronic Care Debate

Alliance for Citizen Engagement

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the Affordable Care Act or “ACA” for short, is a healthcare reform law that was unveiled in March 2010. The primary objective of the ACA is to increase access to health insurance for a larger number of U.S. citizens. Because of this, the ACA mandates […]

Food Security and Local Food Production

Alliance for Citizen Engagement

Background Generally, local food production refers to systems in which food is produced, distributed, and consumed within the same area. However, there is debate within the local food movement about this definition. For example, some call for local food systems to expand distribution—to sell food outside of the boundaries of the local community—while others fear […]

Understanding the Access to STD Resources and Healthcare Debate

Alliance for Citizen Engagement

What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)? Also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are “infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact”. While there are more than 20 types, the eight most common in 2018 included chlamydia, genital herpes, HIV, HPV, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis B. STDs […]

Understanding the No Surprises Act

Alliance for Citizen Engagement

What is Surprise Billing? Surprise billing refers to any unexpected bill received by patients but is especially prevalent with balance billing. Balance billing is the process of billing a patient the remainder of what insurance has not agreed to cover for a medical service or treatment. Even though emergency services are required by law to […]

Healthcare Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act

Alliance for Citizen Engagement

Introduction In resuscitating the previously stalled Build Back Better Act, the Senate Democratic Caucus has reached a reconciliation passage consisting of investments in climate/energy, IRS enforcement, deficit reduction, and healthcare in the 725-page Inflation Reduction (IRA). While the $300 billion is far from the original agenda that President Joe Biden had envisioned when Democrats regained […]