Overview of the Health Care Law
2010: A new Patient’s Bill of Rights goes into effect, protecting consumers from the worst abuses of the insurance industry. Cost-free preventive services begin for many Americans.
2011: People with Medicare can get key preventive services for free, and also receive a 50% discount on brand-name drugs in the Medicare “donut hole.”
2012: Accountable Care Organizations and other programs help doctors and health care providers work together to deliver better care.
2013: Improving Preventative Health Coverage through expanding the number of Americans receiving preventative care
2014: All Americans will have access to affordable health insurance options. The new Health Insurance Marketplace will allow individuals and small businesses to compare health plans on a level playing field. Middle and low-income families will get tax credits that cover a significant portion of the cost of coverage. And the Medicaid program will be expanded to cover more low-income Americans. All together, these reforms mean that millions of people who were previously uninsured will gain coverage, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
View the Interactive Timeline
