Final answer:
Health Benefit Plans issued after January 1, 2014, must cover pre-existing conditions and provide preventive health services without cost-sharing, according to the ACA. This act has significantly reduced the number of uninsured Americans by prohibiting the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions and setting up subsidies and mandates to increase insurance coverage.
Step-by-step explanation:
All Health Benefit Plans issued after January 1, 2014, are required to provide a) Coverage for pre-existing conditions, b) Preventive health services without cost-sharing. This mandate comes from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare. The ACA was a significant reform in U.S. healthcare aimed at expanding access to health insurance, improving the quality of care, and curbing rising healthcare costs.
One of the major reasons for high rates of uninsured or underinsured individuals before the ACA was the common practice of insurances denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. This left many unable to afford the care they needed. The ACA addressed this issue by prohibiting such denials and instituting mandates for individuals and employers to obtain insurance. With these changes, the percentage of uninsured Americans decreased significantly, and millions gained coverage.
However, the affordability and availability of health benefits remain issues, as not all employers offer insurance, especially in sectors with many part-time workers. The ACA includes subsidies to help make insurance more affordable for those with lower incomes and expanded Medicaid eligibility to cover more people.