The **Affordable Care Act (ACA)**, also known as **Obamacare**, is a landmark U.S. federal health reform law signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. It represents the most significant overhaul of the American healthcare system since Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965[2][9]. The ACA’s primary goals are to make health insurance more affordable and accessible, expand Medicaid coverage, and improve the quality of care while controlling healthcare costs[9]. The ACA introduced key reforms phased in over several years, with major provisions fully implemented by 2014. It established health insurance marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can compare and purchase coverage, often with government tax credits to reduce premiums[3][5]. One of its most notable achievements is providing access to insurance for millions of previously uninsured Americans—by 2016, the uninsured rate roughly halved, adding 20 to 24 million newly insured individuals[2]. As of now, over 40 million people have gained coverage, including through Medicaid expansion to 40 states covering 21 million low-income adults[6]. The law also prohibits denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, allows young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26, and mandates preventive care services be covered without cost-sharing[1][3]. It introduced delivery system reforms like accountable care organizations to improve care coordination and efficiency[3]. The ACA has slowed the growth of healthcare spending and reduced income inequality, with many provisions financed by new taxes and Medicare cost adjustments[2]. Despite legal challenges and political opposition—including attempts to repeal it—the ACA remains largely intact and continues to evolve. Recent expansions under the Biden administration, such as enhanced subsidies extended through 2025, have further increased enrollment to record highs[4]. The ACA’s impact extends beyond healthcare, influencing business practices, insurance technology platforms, and federal-state policy dynamics, making it a pivotal subject for those interested in the intersection of business, technology, an