What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is fundamentally a healthcare reform law designed to expand access to health insurance for individuals and families, improve the quality of healthcare, and lower overall healthcare costs. The ACA introduced several key provisions, such as the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, and the requirement for insurers to cover pre-existing conditions. These reforms were aimed at reducing the number of uninsured Americans and ensuring that more people have access to affordable healthcare.

By focusing on making health insurance accessible and lowering costs, the ACA has been instrumental in reshaping the healthcare landscape in the United States, enhancing consumer protections and promoting preventive care. Each of these components reflects the law's overarching goal of creating a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system. This contrasts sharply with the other options, which do not accurately represent the scope or purpose of the ACA.