Lessons Learned from Teaching the Affordable Care Act of 2010

Abstract

This is a reflection on the evolution of our market-based focus to teaching students about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA). Since March 2010, we have presented 12–15 hours of in-class training for students in public policy and administration or in public health, medicine, social work, gerontology, and psychology. We find that teaching the change associated with the ACA is simpler with a focus on pre- and post-enactment market financing. By dividing insurance into public and private markets, we emphasize the financing sources and requirements of each market. Students find it simpler to identify components of policy as it applies to markets. Each class focuses on the fact of change—not arguing about its utility. We use a case-based approach to illustrate specific policies pre- and post-ACA. Based on our classroom experience, a market-based focus on ACA-related reforms is an effective approach to teaching this complex topic.

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