U.S. Healthcare Reform, 2009-2010: Implications for African Americans

This paper describes issues that need to be addressed to reform the U.S. healthcare delivery system, the solutions to some of these issues that are part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (as amended), and the implications for African Americans of some of the recently enacted reforms. These reforms take the first steps toward eliminating the insurance coverage gap that keeps many from receiving needed care. The necessary and simultaneous emphasis on cost containment of this legislation, however, may limit access to health care for African Americans.