How does the ACA intend to reduce healthcare disparities?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to reduce healthcare disparities primarily by expanding access to insurance and improving the quality of care for underserved populations. This approach directly addresses one of the significant barriers to healthcare access, which is the lack of adequate insurance coverage. By providing subsidies for low-income individuals and families, expanding Medicaid in many states, and creating health insurance marketplaces, the ACA enables more individuals, especially those from historically disadvantaged groups, to obtain insurance.

Furthermore, the ACA promotes quality of care through various provisions, including the emphasis on prevention and wellness, the establishment of patient-centered medical homes, and support for community health centers that serve vulnerable populations. By targeting improvements in these areas, the ACA is not only increasing the number of insured individuals but also working to ensure that these populations receive better, more equitable care, ultimately aiming to reduce the health outcomes gap between different demographic groups.

Other approaches, such as increasing the number of healthcare providers or enhancing telehealth services, might contribute to overall access but are secondary to the foundational role that insurance expansion and quality improvement play in addressing the disparities highlighted by the ACA.