It seems there might be a misunderstanding in your question. The government did not raise Medicare to fund the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The two programs, Medicare and the ACA, are separate entities with different funding mechanisms.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily designed for people aged 65 and older, as well as certain individuals with disabilities. It is funded through a combination of payroll taxes, premiums paid by beneficiaries, and general revenue from the federal government.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive healthcare reform law enacted in 2010. Its primary goal was to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of health insurance for Americans. To achieve this, the ACA introduced several provisions, including:
Health Insurance Marketplaces: These online platforms allow individuals and families to compare and purchase private health insurance plans with standardized coverage.
Subsidies and Medicaid Expansion: The ACA provided subsidies to help lower-income individuals and families afford health insurance through the Marketplaces. It also encouraged states to expand Medicaid eligibility to cover more low-income individuals.
Insurance Reforms: The ACA implemented various insurance market reforms, such as prohibiting insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parents' insurance plans until the age of 26.
The funding for the Affordable Care Act primarily comes from several sources, including:
Individual Mandate: Initially, the ACA included an individual mandate that required most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. The mandate was later repealed in 2017.
Employer Mandate: Employers with a certain number of employees were required to offer health insurance coverage to their workers or face penalties.
Taxes and Fees: The ACA imposed various taxes and fees on certain healthcare-related industries and high-income individuals.
Medicare Savings: The ACA aimed to reduce future Medicare spending by implementing cost-saving measures within the program, such as reducing overpayments to private insurers participating in Medicare Advantage plans.
It's important to note that the ACA's funding and provisions have been a subject of debate and have evolved over time due to changes in legislation and court decisions. If you have specific questions about the funding or implementation of the ACA, it's best to refer to the most current and authoritative sources or consult with experts in healthcare policy.