Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Patrick Donnay
Abstract
The United States healthcare industry is an integral aspect of every American’s life. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 reformed the healthcare system by expanding coverage to millions of Americans and eliminating claim denials due to pre-existing conditions. It requires participating states to submit transparency data. Despite these reforms, coverage denials continue and vary by plan category, metal level, and among different states. I analyze data from The Kaiser Family Foundation (2023) and The CommonWealth Fund to test the correlation between claim denial and a variety of variables, including state political culture, plan type, metal level, and out-of-pocket costs. Preliminary analysis shows a slight correlation between high out-of-pocket costs and state political culture, while metal level has an impact on denial level. This study emphasizes the need to understand the many complex elements of the Affordable Care Act. Differences in ACA state policy vary, affecting patients' access to equal healthcare. A higher level of transparency on claim denial is necessary for patients when selecting a plan that fits their healthcare needs.
Recommended Citation
Sitter, Lauren, "The Affordable Care Act: Analyzing Rates of Healthcare Claim Denial" (2025). Political Science Theses and Capstones. 135.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/capstone-polisci/135
Included in
American Politics Commons, Health Law and Policy Commons, Health Policy Commons, Health Services Administration Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Welfare Commons
