What is the main purpose of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

The main purpose of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to expand access to healthcare insurance. Implemented in 2010, the ACA aimed to increase the number of people with health insurance coverage, improve healthcare quality, and reduce overall healthcare costs. It introduced various provisions, such as the creation of health insurance exchanges, expansion of Medicaid eligibility, and mandates for individuals to obtain insurance, which collectively helped millions of uninsured Americans gain health coverage.

By focusing on making healthcare more accessible and ensuring that individuals can acquire insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions, the ACA has significantly reshaped the healthcare landscape in the United States. This goal directly contrasts with options that suggest a decline in healthcare quality or coverage options, or that limit coverage exclusively to low-income individuals, which does not align with the inclusive intent of the ACA.