What is the primary goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

The primary goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as the ACA, is to reduce the number of uninsured individuals. The law was enacted in 2010 to address the problems of healthcare accessibility and affordability in the United States. One of its most significant provisions included the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, allowing more low-income individuals and families to obtain health insurance coverage. Additionally, the ACA established health insurance exchanges where individuals could purchase coverage, often with subsidized premiums for those who qualify based on their income. By implementing these measures, the act aimed to significantly decrease the percentage of Americans without health insurance and improve overall healthcare access.

The elements of the ACA also targeted various systemic issues such as pre-existing conditions, lifetime limits on coverage, and other discriminatory practices that previously made it difficult for many people to access necessary healthcare services. Consequently, achieving a larger population with health insurance coverage directly aligns with the goal of reducing the number of uninsured.