Is Obamacare a government program?

Asked by: Alexandre Bergstrom  |  Last update: December 3, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (50 votes)

Obamacare is a federal law, but the term is also often used to refer to individual and family health insurance obtained through the exchange/Marketplace. Medicaid is government-run health coverage provided to people with limited incomes, and the expansion of Medicaid is a major cornerstone of Obamacare.

Is Obamacare considered government assistance?

The most critical difference between Medicaid and Obamacare is that Obamacare health plans are offered by private health insurance companies whereas Medicaid is a government program.

What is Obamacare actually called?

Affordable Care Act (ACA) The comprehensive health care reform law was enacted in March 2010. The law has 3 primary goals: Make affordable health insurance available to more people.

Who actually pays for Obamacare?

The federal government covers 90% of the cost of Medicaid expansion. Individual Mandate: The ACA also originally included an “individual mandate” or requirement for most people to maintain health insurance.

Who is not eligible for Obamacare?

Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.

Obamacare Has Screwed Up The American Economy - Dave Ramsey Rant

40 related questions found

What are the pros and cons of the Affordable Care Act?

The pros of the ACA include prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on health history and providing subsidies to reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The cons of the ACA include small business challenges and limited provider options in some regions.

Do you pay back Obamacare?

If at the end of the year you've taken more premium tax credit in advance than you're due based on your final income, you'll have to pay back the excess when you file your federal tax return. If you've taken less than you qualify for, you'll get the difference back.

Is Obamacare cost based on income?

Household income determines what you pay for Obamacare and how much you save. You qualify for a subsidy based on how your household income compares to the federal poverty level.

Can I refuse health insurance from my employer and get Obamacare?

Obamacare is available to everyone, whether or not their employers offer insurance. From a practical standpoint, though, there are financial consequences to doing this. Often, an employer subsidizes part or all of their employees' coverage.

Does Obamacare cover surgery?

All plans offered in the Marketplace cover these 10 essential health benefits: Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital) Emergency services. Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)

Is Obamacare worth it?

Proponents of the health care legislation, frequently referred to as Obamacare, have called it a historic political achievement and landmark legislation that reformed the US health care system by lowering health care costs, making health care more affordable, and protecting consumers.

How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?

Report any changes in your income during the year to the Marketplace, so your credit can be adjusted and you can avoid any significant repayments at the end of the year.

Will I lose my Medicaid if I get Medicare?

People who have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage are “dually eligible.” Medicare pays first when you're a dual eligible and you get Medicare-covered services. Medicaid pays last, after Medicare and any other health insurance you have.

Can I have both Medicaid and Obamacare?

Keeping both Marketplace and Medicaid and CHIP

If you have qualifying health coverage through Medicaid or CHIP coverage, you'll pay full price for your Marketplace plan premium and covered services.

Who pays for Obamacare?

The federal government subsidizes health insurance for over 150 million Americans through various programs and tax benefits. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that in 2023, those costs and subsidies added up to $1.6 trillion, net of offsetting receipts, mainly from Medicare and Medicaid.

Can you be turned down for Obamacare?

No insurance plan can reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started. Once you're enrolled, the plan can't deny you coverage or raise your rates based only on your health.

Does Obamacare affect your tax refund?

If there's a difference between the amount of the premium tax credit you used during the year and the amount you actually qualify for, it will impact your refund or the amount of taxes you owe. You'll include Form 8962 with your federal tax return. Get details on how to reconcile.

What is the biggest problem with the Affordable Care Act?

Impact on Individual Insurance

It was also known that consumers would face a very different health insurance world under the ACA, with some people seeing their premiums go down and some seeing them go up, and the majority of Americans seeing higher deductibles, higher copays, and a smaller pool of providers.

Who does not benefit from the Affordable Care Act?

Individuals with incomes exceeding 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL; $46,680 for an individual, $95,400 for a family of four) are ineligible for either Medicaid or Marketplace tax credits. This group represents 16 percent of the ineligible, uninsured population. 2.

What is the difference between Medicaid and Obamacare?

Since Medicaid is intended for those with very low incomes, anything other than token small amounts of cost-sharing would be unaffordable to Medicaid recipients and present a potential barrier to care. On the other hand, Obamacare health plans often come with substantial deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Who is exempt from Obamacare?

If you're seeking an exemption because you can't afford coverage, you're a member of a federally recognized tribe, you're incarcerated, or you participate in a recognized health care sharing ministry, you have two options: The exemptions can be claimed when you complete your federal tax return.

What states did not accept Obamacare?

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010, but 10 states have not expanded Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for low-income people. They are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.