Understanding the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive reform law, enacted in 2010, that increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and implements reforms to the health insurance market. This includes many provisions that are consistent with AMA policy and holds the potential for a better health care system. The ACA represents a tremendous step forward on the path toward meaningful health system reform, and additional steps will follow.

Under the Affordable Care Act, patients who may have been uninsured due to preexisting conditions or limited finances can secure affordable health plans through the health insurance marketplace in their state. The AMA is committed to providing information for physicians to help their patients get coverage, along with securing changes to improve the law moving forward.

General ACA resources and links for physicians

• Navigating open enrollment (PDF)
• Fact sheet on Section 1557 (PDF)
• Section 1557’s sex discrimination requirements: Myth v. fact (PDF)
• What health system reform means to physicians and patients (PDF)
• HHS HealthCare.gov implementation center
• CMS.gov outreach and education resources

• Affordable Care Act
• Access to Health Care Coverage
• Catalog of Topics

FEATURED STORIES

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• Meaningful Use: Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• The ACA’s preventive care provisions must be maintained
• End restrictions on physician-owned hospitals.

The AMA promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

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