
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010. It expanded Medicaid eligibility, created a Health Insurance Marketplace and prevented insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more because of pre-existing conditions.
The ACA also provides subsidies for people who can’t afford health insurance on their own. These subsidies lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, allowing people to purchase better health insurance for less.
Uninsured Individuals
The Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare,” has made it possible for millions of uninsured people in the United States to obtain health insurance. The ACA provides several benefits to these individuals, including subsidies for premiums and cost-sharing.
The ACA also created insurance “exchanges” where consumers can compare plans and purchase affordable coverage. The exchanges are sponsored by the Federal Government or a state government.
Among the ACA’s main objectives are to expand coverage, control costs and improve the nation’s health care system. However, the law is not perfect and there are a number of issues that need to be addressed.
For example, many uninsured individuals have been unable to find affordable health insurance because of preexisting conditions and limitations on how long they can be on the market. The ACA addresses these issues by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of preexisting conditions and allowing those with existing medical problems to buy health insurance for the first time in their lives.
Uninsured Families
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to provide health insurance to the nation’s uninsured. This includes people who do not have access to employer-sponsored coverage, can’t afford to buy private insurance on their own, or are not eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.
The ACA introduced new pathways to insurance, including Marketplace subsidies for individuals below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and Medicaid expansions in most states. However, millions of low-income Americans remain uninsured despite the availability of these options.
Many people without employer-sponsored health insurance find themselves unable to afford coverage offered through the Marketplace or are not aware that they can obtain financial assistance to do so. A third of uninsured adults who did not try to purchase Marketplace coverage cited affordability concerns as the primary reason for their lack of coverage.
Employers
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has created a new health insurance marketplace called the Marketplace. It is a place where people can buy affordable coverage and where the government provides financial assistance to help with the cost.
The law also requires employers to offer health coverage that meets minimum value standards. This includes coverage that is at least 60% of the cost of covered services.
Employers that do not meet this requirement can be subject to a penalty. The amount of the penalty depends on whether or not the employer offers 95% of its full-time employees and their dependents affordable health coverage that meets minimum value standards.
Despite its critics’ predictions that the mandate would lead to employers dropping coverage for large numbers of workers, the ACA has been successful in expanding access to affordable coverage. It has also helped make insurance more affordable by increasing tax credits for low-income people and expanding Medicaid to cover more families.
Legal Immigrants
Lawfully present immigrants, including “green card” holders and other legal permanent residents, are eligible for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. They can use the ACA Marketplaces, and they may receive tax credits to help pay for their premiums.
For example, in states that have expanded Medicaid, people who earn less than 139% of the poverty level are eligible for premium subsidies. They can also get subsidies if they have an income above 100% of the federal poverty level but below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
In addition, recent immigrants can purchase individual health plans in the Marketplace and receive premium subsidies. They are also eligible for Medicaid in many states, including New York, if they meet the requirements.
Noncitizens are more likely to be uninsured than citizens, and they face eligibility restrictions for public coverage options such as Medicaid, CHIP, and the ACA Marketplaces. Some states have attempted to allow undocumented immigrants to buy full-price plans in their state-based exchanges. However, California abandoned its effort and New York legislation did not progress.