#TBT: Obamacare Gives 25 Million People Healthcare

 

     On March 23rd, 2010, Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. Although its name has become unpopular, its individual provisions remain supported by a majority of Americans. This act, by imposing a tax on the top one percent of Americans, banned insurance companies from discriminating based on preexisting conditions, mandated health insurance coverage, reduced premiums paid by the majority of American citizens, and improved the quality of healthcare. The number of Americans who had access to health insurance increased by almost 25 million, roughly halving the U.S. uninsured population. The bill managed to do so while reducing the deficit. The largest overhaul of Medicare and Medicaid in over half a century, this landmark bill is seen as Obama's signature domestic policy achievement.