The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a U.S. law enacted in 2010 aimed at improving healthcare access and affordability. It requires most Americans to have health insurance, sets standards for insurance coverage, and expands Medicaid for low-income individuals. The ACA also established health insurance marketplaces to help people shop for plans and provided subsidies to lower costs. Its goal is to reduce the number of uninsured Americans and improve the overall quality of healthcare in the nation.