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Health Policy Resources: Affordable Care Act

A brief guide to useful health policy resources.

About

  • The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare) was signed into law by President Obama in March of 2010. One aim of this health reform law is to make preventative care more accessible and affordable for many Americans. The Affordable Care Act requires that all U.S. citizens and legal residents must have health insurance on January 1, 2014. If a person does not purchase health insurance, he or she is subject to a penalty that will increase for every year the person is without insurance. There are several Tax provisions in the Affordable Care Act.
  • Healthcare.gov, the official website for consumer information about the Affordable Care Act, includes information about the Health Insurance Marketplace, such as how to enroll as well as important dates and what your rights and protections are under the law. The marketplace details a list of typical health services covered under insurance options.
  • Healthcare.gov in Spanish 
  • List of state marketplaces
  • New York State Marketplace
 

 

Overview

  • About the ACA: The Affordable Care Acts puts consumers back in charge of their health care. Under the law, a new "Patients Bill of Rights: gives the American people the stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health.
  • Key Features of the ACA: On March 23, 2010 President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that put consumers back in charge of their health care. A new wave of powerful evidence points to one clear conclusion: The Affordable Care Act is working to make health care more affordable, accessible and of a higher quality for families, seniors, businesses, and taxpayers alike. This includes previously uninsured Americans, and Americans who had insurance that didn't provide them adequate coverage and security.
  • Read the Law by Section: All 10 Titles of the Affordable Care Act, with amendments to the law called for by the reconciliation process.  Click on each Title to see a brief outline and then read the law section by section.

Marketplace Application

Marketplace Application Process

Marketplace Enrollment

Marketplace Enrollment Process