Who introduced the Affordable Care Act to Congress?

Asked by: Gaylord Ward  |  Last update: September 14, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (54 votes)

The bill was introduced on October 29, 2009 and passed on November 7, during the 1st Session of the 111th Congress. Its primary sponsor was the Dean of the House, John Dingell of Michigan. The bill is a revised version of an earlier measure, the proposed America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (HR 3200).

Who implemented the Affordable Care Act?

With Election Day just over a month away, here is a timeline of significant ACA moments. The ACA was signed into law in 2010 and was fully implemented by 2014 during the Obama administration. The ACA has had legal challenges, and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several of them.

Who persuaded Congress to pass the Affordable Care Act?

When Democrats lost a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, Pelosi convinced the Obama Administration not to scale down its ambitions for a comprehensive health care package. After negotiating a compromise bill, she engineered final passage of the ACA in the House – without the help of a single Republican vote.

Which president promoted the Affordable Care Act?

President Obama promised that he would make quality, affordable health care not a privilege, but a right. After nearly 100 years of talk, and decades of trying by presidents of both parties, that's exactly what he did. Today, 20 million more adults gained access to health coverage.

Which political party opposed the Affordable Care Act?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed by a Democratic Congress and signed into law by a Democratic president in 2010. Republican congressmen, governors, and Republican candidates have consistently opposed the ACA and have vowed to repeal it.

The Affordable Care Act: What should Congress do next?

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Do Democrats support the Affordable Care Act?

Democrats believe that quality, affordable health care is a right – not a privilege – for every American.

How many times did Republicans try to repeal Obamacare?

After the July 27, 2017 vote on the Health Care Freedom Act, Newsweek "found at least 70 Republican-led attempts to repeal, modify or otherwise curb the Affordable Care Act since its inception as law on March 23, 2010."

Which president signed the law that affected the Affordable Care Act ACA?

President Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a historic piece of legislation designed to expand health insurance coverage and regulate insurance industry practices.

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.

What was healthcare like before Obamacare?

Prior to the ACA, high rates of uninsurance were prevalent due to unaffordability and exclusions based on preexisting conditions. Additionally, some insured people faced extremely high out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and coverage limits. The ACA aimed to address these issues, though it did not eliminate all of them.

Why was the Affordable Care Act not successful?

The law was also poorly written in key areas and poorly thought-out. Few laws are truly self-implementing, but virtually everything in the ACA, from a political, regulatory, or technical perspective, requires countless decisions and an astonishing amount of work before it is implemented.

How much is Obamacare a month for a single person?

Monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans vary by state and can be reduced by premium tax credits. The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477.

Where did the idea for the Affordable Care Act come from?

Most recently, John Aravosis writing at the America Blog claimed that the core idea behind Obamacare (the individual mandate) comes from a 1989 lecture by Stuart Butler, then a health economist at Heritage.

Can states opt out of the ACA?

The constitutionality of the Medicaid expansion provisions of the ACA was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012; however, state participation is optional.

What percentage of the population is on Obamacare?

On average, 20% of the population in non-expansion states have enrolled in an Affordable Care Act marketplace plan at some point in time, compared to 12% of the population in expansion states.

What is the 30 hour rule for ACA?

If an employee is credited with an average of 30 hours per week or more during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee would be eligible for benefits for the upcoming plan year. The Stability Period is the period of time that the employee cannot lose eligibility regardless of the hours he works.

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.

Who actually wrote the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (or HR 3962) was a bill that was crafted by the United States House of Representatives of the 111th United States Congress on October 29, 2009.

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.

What is the difference between Medicaid and Obamacare?

While the two share various similarities, they vary greatly in many regards. On a general basis, Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, aims to provide affordable health coverage to all Americans. On the other hand, Medicaid provides coverage for those in need that cannot afford coverage otherwise.

What is the biggest problem with the Affordable Care Act?

Obamacare has increased the cost of health care and health insurance. The ACA's federal mandates and spending, including Medicaid expansion and subsidized individual plans, have drastically increased the cost of health care and health insurance. 2. Obamacare increases Americans' reliance on the federal government. …

When was the last time Republicans had full control of Congress?

The Republican Party retained their majority in both the House and the Senate, and, with inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, 2017, attained an overall federal government trifecta for the first time since the 109th Congress in 2005.

What do Republicans think about healthcare?

Political affiliation made little difference when it came to financing health care; 67% of Democrats and 66% of Republicans said it should be a mix of individual, employer, and government contributions.