Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Overview
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), often shortened to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or nicknamed Obamacare, is a United States federal statute enacted by the 111th United States Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The ACA represents a significant regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, aimed at increasing the quality and affordability of health insurance, lowering the uninsured rate by expanding public and private insurance coverage, and reducing the costs of healthcare for individuals and the government.
Provisions
The ACA includes numerous provisions that take effect over a matter of years, including the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, the establishment of health insurance exchanges, and prohibiting health insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. It introduced a shared responsibility requirement, commonly referred to as an individual mandate, that every person not covered by an employer sponsored health plan, Medicaid, Medicare or other public insurance programs, secure an approved private-insurance policy.
Impact
The ACA has caused a significant reduction in the number and percentage of people without health insurance. The increases in coverage were accompanied by improvements in access to care, health, and financial security, according to multiple studies. The law has also been the subject of numerous political and legal challenges.
Controversies
The ACA has been the subject of numerous political and legal controversies and challenges. In 2011, opponents of the law attempted to use the appropriations process to defund its implementation. In 2012, the law was upheld by the Supreme Court in NFIB v. Sebelius. In 2017, Republicans attempted and failed to repeal the law.
Future
The future of the ACA is uncertain, with many changes proposed by various political leaders and policy makers. Despite numerous attempts at repeal, the ACA remains in effect. The ongoing political and legal challenges and potential future modifications to the law continue to create uncertainty about the ACA's long-term impact on the U.S. healthcare system.