ACA Facts
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (better known as the Affordable Care Act or simply the ACA) has faced skepticism and criticism from many, but few Americans truly understand what is in the law. This landmark health reform law contains many provisions that will help ensure accessible, comprehensive, affordable, non-discriminatory coverage for consumers, especially people with disabilities. Here, AUCD offers facts about the law and its implementation. Each week, new facts will be posted and highlighted in our weekly policy newsletter Legislative News In Brief.
Resources
3/1/2017
A Guide To Budget Reconciliation: The Byzantine Rules For Disassembling The Health Law

After capturing the White House, Republicans put repealing the health law at the top of their to-do list. But since they can't get around a Democratic filibuster in the Senate, they are forced to use an arcane legislative tool called budget reconciliation to disassemble parts of the law. KHN's Julie Rovner and Francis Ying explain the process.
9/24/2013
Archived Webinar: Affordable Care Act Implementation - What Happens Next?
Do you still have questions about what the Affordable Care Act means for people with disabilities? Open enrollment starts October 1, and health coverage starts January 1, so join this timely webinar to learn about the current status of ACA implementation and some key details important for people with disabilities, families and professionals.
4/3/2013
ACA Facts: Affordable Health Insurance Exchanges
The ACA ensures affordable coverage is available to all through a state-based competitive marketplace.
3/27/2013
ACA Facts: Medicaid and CHIP Expansion
The ACA extends Medicaid and CHIP coverage to encompass a broader range of individuals, including people with disabilities.
3/20/2013
ACA Facts: Patient Protections
The Affordable Care Act protects your choice of doctors and out-of-network emergency services.
3/13/2013
ACA Facts: Ending Pre-existing Condition Exclusions and Discrimination
The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from discriminating based on health status or condition.
3/6/2013
ACA Facts: Lifetime and Annual Limits on Coverage
The Affordable Care Act prohibits lifetime and annual limits on coverage.
2/27/2013
ACA Facts: Guaranteed Issue and Renewal
The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to sell and renew health policies to any qualified applicants regardless of health status or disability.
2/20/2013
ACA Facts: Insurance Rescissions
The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from canceling coverage for mistakes made on applications.
2/13/2013
ACA Facts: Accessible Diagnostic Equipment Standards
The ACA addresses the current problems of lack of accessible medical and mobility equipment.
2/6/2013
ACA Facts: Children Covered to Age 26
The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover dependent children up to age 26 on their parents' plans.
1/30/2013
ACA Facts: Individual Responsibility (Mandate) Provision
The ACA ensures most individuals are enrolled in a health plan that covers their basic minimum needs.
1/23/2013
ACA Facts: Preventive Care at No Cost to Consumers
The Affordable Care Act requires many insurers to cover certain preventive services at no cost to consumers, including autism and developmental screenings for children.
1/12/2013
ACA Facts: Essential Health Benefits
The Affordable Care Act ensures all health plans include a comprehensive set of services and items known as the "essential health benefits."
1/9/2013
ACA Facts: Prevention and Public Health Fund
The ACA creates the first mandatory funding stream dedicated to improving public health in the U.S.
1/2/2013
ACA Facts: Easy to Understand Summaries of Coverage
The Affordable Care Act requires health insurers to provide clear, understandable information about their benefits and coverage.
12/28/2012
ACA Facts: Internal and External Appeal of Denials
The Affordable Care Act ensures an internal and external appeals process for consumers who are denied coverage.
12/18/2012
ACA Facts: Annual Public Review of Premium Increases
The Affordable Care Act protects against unreasonable increases in premiums.
12/15/2012
ACA Facts: The Community Living Assistance, Services and Supports (CLASS) Act
The ACA creates a national long-term care insurance program to enhance independent community living.
12/14/2012
ACA Facts: Community Transformation Grants
The ACA administers funding to states to focus on chronic disease prevention and healthy communities.
12/11/2012
ACA Facts: Medical Loss Ratio
The Affordable Care Act ensures that at least 80% of premium dollars are spent on medical care and improving health care quality.
11/27/2012
ACA Facts: Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans
The ACA offers an insurance plan for those denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
11/20/2012
ACA Facts: Wellness Programs
The ACA promotes wellness and health promotion programs in the workplace.
11/13/2012
ACA Facts: Data Collection and Health Disparities
The ACA addresses health disparities for individuals with disabilities.
11/6/2012
ACA Facts: Direct Support Workforce Provision
The ACA supports training programs for direct care workers employed in long-term care settings.
10/30/2012
ACA Facts: Workforce Provisions: Cultural Competency and Dentistry Training
The ACA provides training on various initiatives to reduce health disparities and ensure quality access to community-based services.
10/23/2012
ACA Facts: Workforce Provisions: Primary care training grants
The ACA provides capacity building for primary care physicians in the field of family medicine.
10/16/2012
ACA Facts: Oral Health
The ACA supports implementation of a variety of initiatives relating to oral health prevention and access.
10/9/2012
ACA Facts: New Simplified Standards for Electronic Exchange of Information
The ACA simplifies the electronic exchange of information.
10/2/2012