What is the Affordable Care Act?

It's Obamacare

Before 2010, health insurance companies had the power to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. This left healthcare out of reach for many people who needed it most. Insurers could also impose lifetime limits on the amount of care they would cover, meaning once you hit that cap, you were responsible for the rest—no matter the cost. For countless Americans, this made vital medical care an impossible expense.

How does this affect me?

Pre-existing conditions are no longer a barrier to coverage.

The ACA, often called "Obamacare," prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. This change has made healthcare accessible to millions of Americans who were previously excluded from coverage.

Affordable insurance for individuals and families.

If your workplace doesn’t provide insurance, or you’re unemployed or self-employed, the ACA ensures you have options. You can buy insurance through your state’s healthcare marketplace or healthcare.gov. The law also offers financial assistance for those who meet certain income requirements, making health insurance more affordable for many who would otherwise go without.

Expanded Medicaid coverage.

The ACA expanded Medicaid, allowing more low-income families to qualify. However, this expansion was left to the states to implement. Some states chose not to expand Medicaid, leaving many residents without access to the additional coverage the federal government intended to provide.

Protections for chronic and pre-existing conditions.

If you have—or ever had—conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or even something as common as teenage acne, the ACA ensures you can’t be denied coverage. Before the ACA, these conditions often made health insurance unaffordable or inaccessible.

Better coverage for medications and mental health.

The ACA requires insurance plans to cover prescription drugs and mental health services, treating them as essential health benefits. This means medications like insulin or mood stabilizers, as well as therapy or counseling, are now covered for millions of Americans.

Is My Healthcare ACA?