The Affordable Care Act

practice as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

INTRODUCTION

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. The ACA attempts to increase access to care, reduce cost, and improve quality. Nearly 50 different reform initiatives were implemented between 2010 and 2017. Although primary care is a major focus of the act, these additional initiatives are focused on 10 different areas, including public health, prevention of disease, community health, and increasing revenue provisions to pay for the reform (Niles, 2018). The law has been controversial due to the mandate that all Americans must purchase health insurance.

The U.S. government plays a significant role in the operation of the country’s health care system. Quality, access, funding, education, and preventative services are all influenced by the U.S. government (Niles, 2018), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has further increased the role and involvement of the government in health care. All health care administrators must be knowledgeable on the role of the government.