Though the Affordable Care Act failed in its loftiest goals - people couldn't keep their doctors, costs went up rather than down, and insurers are leaving the program rather than entering because the health of patients is now allowed to be factored into premiums - but it did make progress in decreasing the number of uninsured and improving access to care. Though those were due to penalties if people did not sign up and forcing employers to leave adults on parental insurance policies until age 26 rather than a swell of enthusiasm.
The big problems of affordability of health insurance have gotten worse, and old disparities still persist by geography, race/ethnicity, and income. But access to health care has improved, even if people choose not to use it because of high deductibles.
"While the Affordable Care Act has yet to accomplish all of its lofty goals, existing scientific research suggests that progress is encouraging and ongoing, especially in terms of expanding coverage," said Dr. Michael T. French, lead author of a Health Services Research paper lauding the health care law that is the legacy of the Obama administration.