In March of 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Obama. Though there was much controversy initially, the benefits have been seen and felt by many. Find out what’s been accomplished in its first six years!

According to a White House press release highlighting some of the achievements of the ACA, the impact has been significant, and the changes have been particularly relevant to those in the cancer community. 

Among the key points to note: The law...

• Prohibits coverage denials and reduced benefits, protecting as many as 129 million Americans with some type of pre-existing health condition.
• Eliminates lifetime and annual limits on insurance coverage and establishes annual limits on out-of-pocket spending on essential health benefits. 
• Established a system of state and federal Health Insurance Exchanges, or Marketplaces, to make it easier for individuals and small-business employees to purchase health plans at affordable prices. In the most recent open enrollment, 12.7 million people selected a plan through the Marketplace!
• Created a temporary high-risk pool program to cover uninsured people with pre-existing conditions prior to 2013 reforms, which has helped more than 130,000 people.
• Creates a tax credit which, in the last open enrollment, helped approximately 10.5 million Americans who otherwise would not have been able to afford it, sign up for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

For more information on the ACA, check out our article on “Conquering Insurance Issues and Problems.” 

For healthcare professionals interested in learning more about the ACA and health insurance, be sure to register for our Educational Series for Healthcare Professionals webinar on Health Insurance Options, in November!