Which legal act serves as a significant basis for healthcare policy in the United States?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a pivotal piece of legislation that significantly shaped healthcare policy in the United States. Enacted in 2010, the ACA aimed to increase the quality and affordability of healthcare, expand access to insurance, and reduce the costs of healthcare for both individuals and the government.

One of the primary achievements of the ACA was the expansion of Medicaid, which provided coverage to millions of low-income people who were previously uninsured. Additionally, the ACA established health insurance marketplaces, where individuals and families could purchase insurance with the help of subsidies, thereby making healthcare more accessible.

The law also introduced various consumer protections, such as prohibiting insurers from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions and allowing young adults to remain on their parents' insurance plans until the age of 26. These provisions were designed to address significant gaps in healthcare access and affordability, making the ACA a cornerstone of modern healthcare policy in the U.S.

By transforming how insurance works and enhancing regulatory oversight, the ACA has had a lasting impact on the healthcare system, leading to a decline in the uninsured rate and influencing subsequent healthcare discussions and policies.