Final answer:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is a law signed by President Obama in 2010 with the goal of expanding access to healthcare in the United States. The main provisions include Medicaid expansion, health insurance marketplaces, and the individual mandate. The Supreme Court ruled that the individual mandate is constitutional, but limited the Medicaid expansion provision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare, was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010. The main goal of this act is to bring the United States closer to universal health coverage. Some of the key provisions of the act include expanding Medicaid coverage, creating health insurance marketplaces, prohibiting denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and requiring individuals to have health insurance or pay a penalty.
In terms of constitutionality, the Supreme Court has weighed in on the matter. In National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, the Court ruled that the individual mandate, which required individuals to have health insurance or pay a penalty, was constitutional under Congress's power to tax. However, the Court also limited the Medicaid expansion provision, allowing states to choose whether or not to expand their Medicaid programs.