What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

• A. A U.S. law that helps more people get health insurance and protects patients' rights.
• B. A federal program that provides health care only for veterans.
• C. A government agency that funds medical research.
• D. A type of private health insurance plan.

Answer: (A)

The Affordable Care Act is a U.S. law that expands access to health insurance and strengthens protections for people who buy or seek insurance. It creates marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can compare plans, with subsidies to make coverage more affordable, and it broadened Medicaid in states that chose to expand it to cover more low-income adults. It also lets many young adults stay on their parents’ plan until age 26, and it prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. In addition, it requires coverage of essential health benefits and preventive services, giving patients clearer rights and protections in how their care is insured. It isn’t a veterans program, a government agency that funds research, or a private insurance plan—it's the national law that reshaped how health insurance works and protects consumers.