Comprehensive Guide to ACA: Goals,
Plans, and Impact on US Healthcare
Exam Questions and Answers with
Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What does ACA stand for and Affordable Care Act. Signed 2010,
when was it signed and went into effect 2014.
effective?
What are the two stated goals Universal coverage for insurance
of the ACA? and control costs.
What are the three legs of the (1) Subsidize insurance, (2) Stop
ACA 'three-legged stool'? denying coverage, (3) Mandate
insurance coverage.
Why must all three legs of the Subsidies + no denial without
three-legged stool stand mandate leads to healthy people
together? skipping insurance, causing
premiums to spiral up. All three are
needed to break adverse selection.
What is the ACA individual Every American must have
mandate? qualifying insurance or pay a tax
penalty.
What was the individual The maximum of $695 per person
mandate penalty formula? OR 2.5% of household income.
, What did Trump change about Reduced the penalty to $0 starting
the individual mandate?
2019. The mandate still exists in law
but has no financial bite.
Until what age can children Until age 26.
stay on their parents'
insurance plan under ACA?
What income threshold did Up to 138% of the Federal Poverty
ACA set for Medicaid Line (FPL).
expansion eligibility?
What share of newly eligible 90%.
Medicaid enrollees does the
federal government pay under
ACA expansion?
As of March 2026, how many 41 states (plus DC).
states (including DC) have
expanded Medicaid under
ACA?
Who are ACA Marketplace People without employer-provided
(exchange) plans intended insurance AND with income between
for? 138% and 400% of FPL.
Name the four metal tiers of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum.
ACA exchange plans.
What actuarial value (AV) does Approximately 60% of healthcare
a Bronze plan cover? expenditures.
Plans, and Impact on US Healthcare
Exam Questions and Answers with
Verified Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
What does ACA stand for and Affordable Care Act. Signed 2010,
when was it signed and went into effect 2014.
effective?
What are the two stated goals Universal coverage for insurance
of the ACA? and control costs.
What are the three legs of the (1) Subsidize insurance, (2) Stop
ACA 'three-legged stool'? denying coverage, (3) Mandate
insurance coverage.
Why must all three legs of the Subsidies + no denial without
three-legged stool stand mandate leads to healthy people
together? skipping insurance, causing
premiums to spiral up. All three are
needed to break adverse selection.
What is the ACA individual Every American must have
mandate? qualifying insurance or pay a tax
penalty.
What was the individual The maximum of $695 per person
mandate penalty formula? OR 2.5% of household income.
, What did Trump change about Reduced the penalty to $0 starting
the individual mandate?
2019. The mandate still exists in law
but has no financial bite.
Until what age can children Until age 26.
stay on their parents'
insurance plan under ACA?
What income threshold did Up to 138% of the Federal Poverty
ACA set for Medicaid Line (FPL).
expansion eligibility?
What share of newly eligible 90%.
Medicaid enrollees does the
federal government pay under
ACA expansion?
As of March 2026, how many 41 states (plus DC).
states (including DC) have
expanded Medicaid under
ACA?
Who are ACA Marketplace People without employer-provided
(exchange) plans intended insurance AND with income between
for? 138% and 400% of FPL.
Name the four metal tiers of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum.
ACA exchange plans.
What actuarial value (AV) does Approximately 60% of healthcare
a Bronze plan cover? expenditures.
