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On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), which is intended to reform the U.S. health care system, and marks the biggest shift in U.S. domestic policy since the 1960s. After more than a year of negotiations in Congress, the bill was first passed by the Senate in December 2009, and was then passed by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2010, by a vote of 219-212, without a single Republican in favor. That same day, the House also passed by a vote of 220-211 a companion measure known as the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872), which the Senate later approved and the president then signed into law. This companion measure contains a package of changes to be made to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The new law, estimated to cost $940 billion over 10 years, will eventually expand coverage to 32 million people who are currently uninsured. It will offer tax breaks to small businesses to help them offer insurance to employees; grant subsidies to those in certain income brackets to help them buy coverage; prevent insurance companies from dropping the coverage of people when they get sick or for preexisting conditions; and allow young adults to stay on their parents' policy until they are 26. Starting in 2014, most people will be required to have insurance or pay a penalty, and Medicaid will be expanded to include more of those with the lowest incomes. For a full list of the changes set to take place, starting this year until 2019, see this timeline.
"We are still a people capable of doing big things and tackling our biggest challenges," Obama said of the bill's passage. You can watch a video of President Obama signing the bill into law here, and read the transcript of the president's remarks and the vice president's remarks at the signing of the bill.
Still, a NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll taken just ahead of the bill's passage showed that the American public was evenly split on health care reform, with 46 percent saying a reform bill should pass and 45 percent saying it should not. Also, Attorneys general from a dozen states filed suit to stop the overhaul just minutes after the bill signing, claiming that the law is unconstitutional.
On March 26, 2012, the Supreme Court began three days of hearings on challenges to the constitutionality of the law, and released its decision due in June. The Court upheld the health care law in a 5-4 ruling, with Chief Justice John Roberts casting the deciding swing vote.
To learn more about health care reform and how it will impact you, check out the links below.
- HealthCare.gov
Ongoing news and information about health care reform. Includes factchecking, videos, reports, forums and newsroom. Find insurance options, Compare Care Quality, and more.
- HealthReform.gov
Official health reform Web site of the Obama administration (site now archived).
- White House on Health Reform
Overview of the administration's stance on health reform.
- Commonwealth Fund
Reports, news, podcasts and more from this private foundation that supports independent research into health care issues, practice and policy.
- Change.gov
Read the Obama-Biden agenda for health care reform as stated right after the campaign.
- Kaiser Family Foundation
Polls, research reports, headlines, audio/video, interactive maps and a history of health reform from this nonprofit, private foundation.
- Alliance for Health Reform
A non-partisan, nonprofit group offering objective information on reform.
- Campaign for an American Solution
Non-partisan, educational and grassroots initiative of America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents the insurance industry.
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PBS Online Newshour
Profiles of the individuals who are majorly contributing to reform efforts.
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Chicago Tribune
Brief outline of the health care reform debate's key players, from individuals to organizations.
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NYTimes
Slideshow and brief description of individuals playing a key role in reform.
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Congressional Budget Office
The government agency that will calculate the costs of reform and must approve the final spending plan.
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The New York Times
Health care reform updates as they unfold.
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Kaiser Health News
Health reform news, updated throughout the day.
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5 Truths About Health Care in America
Time breaks it down simply with this chart that compares U.S. health spending to that of other nations. 2008 data show that in the top spot, the U.S. spent $7,026 per capita on health care, while Russia came in last at just $369 per person.
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Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act
Passed on Feb. 4, 2009, this bill expands the CHIP progam already in place to provide health care to 11 million kids.
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (pdf)
Signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009, this act protects health coverage for 7 million Americans who lose their jobs through a 65 percent COBRA subsidy to make coverage affordable. It also invests $19 billion in computerized medical records that are intended to help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring patients' privacy.
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Healthy Americans Act
U.S. Senate. Feb. 2, 2009.
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Key Features of the Tri-Committee Health Reform Draft Proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives (pdf)
Released June 9, 2009.
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Affordable Health Choices Act
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Released June 9, 2009.
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Health Care Reform: Draft Proposal (pdf)
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Released June 18, 2009.
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Affordable Health Care for America Act (pdf)
U.S. House of Representatives. Released Oct. 29, 2009.
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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) (pdf)
U.S. Senate. Released Nov. 18, 2009. 2,074 pages.
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Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872) (pdf)
Signed into law March 23, 2010.
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--- Jennifer Borders
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