Obamacare is the colloquial term for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which is also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). President Barrack Obama signed this into law on March 23, 2010; it is one of the most significant legislative overhauls in American healthcare history. Its main objective was to make health insurance more affordable and accessible. Specifically, Obamacare required Americans to carry health insurance and those who will not comply will have to pay a tax penalty.
Moreover, insurance companies can no longer exclude individuals with pre-existing conditions. This legislation allows parents to include their children (up to age 26) in their insurance plans and provide essential services such as maternity and newborn care, pediatric care, lab tests, mental health treatment, hospitalization, and emergency room services. Also, pregnancy and wellness exams are free and insurance premium payments cannot be raised without the approval of the state governments.