What is the goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

The goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is centered on improving health care quality and increasing access to services. This legislation was enacted to expand health insurance coverage to millions of Americans, thereby making healthcare more accessible for individuals who previously lacked coverage due to cost or pre-existing conditions. By mandating that insurance companies cover all applicants and limiting the use of pre-existing conditions as an insurance exclusion, the ACA aimed to provide a broader base of health care access.

Additionally, the ACA included provisions to enhance the overall quality of care through measures such as promoting preventive services without cost-sharing and establishing health care quality standards. It incentivized the implementation of best practices and offered support for innovative care delivery models aimed at improving patient outcomes and overall health system efficiency.

The focus on both access and quality reflects a comprehensive approach to reforming the health care system, intending to address systemic issues while ensuring that citizens receive care that meets established standards of quality.