Final answer:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, expands access to healthcare and improves affordability, but it faces opposition due to increased costs and taxes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) expands access and improves the affordability of healthcare. It was signed into law by President Obama in 2010 to move the United States toward universal coverage.
The PPACA, commonly known as Obamacare, began phasing in during October 2013. It led to several core changes in the healthcare system including the expansion of Medicaid, the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, and the provision of subsidies to make insurance more affordable. As a result, the number of Americans with health insurance increased significantly.
However, despite the increased coverage, the PPACA also led to higher costs for premium health insurance plans and taxes for wealthy individuals, contributing to an increased budget deficit. This drew opposition from different sectors, including the Trump administration, which campaigned on repealing the act. Still, no alternative has been presented to Congress, leaving the future of the ACA uncertain. Its impact, positive or otherwise, will be judged based on whether it can weather political challenges and continue providing coverage to millions of Americans.