Affordable Care Act
Definition
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, is a landmark U.S. federal healthcare law signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010, aimed at expanding access to affordable health insurance, improving healthcare quality, and reducing costs for individuals and the government.
It introduced measures like health insurance marketplaces, subsidies for low-income individuals, Medicaid expansion, and protections such as prohibiting denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Examples
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, my hypochondriac uncle finally stopped treating WebMD as his primary care physician.
Signing up via the Affordable Care Act marketplace was smoother than expected—like ordering pizza without the wrong toppings drama.
The Affordable Care Act turned my skeptical dad into a coverage evangelist; now he preaches preventive care at every family barbecue.
Even amid subsidy shifts in 2026, the Affordable Care Act keeps chugging along like that reliable old pickup truck in the garage.