Final answer:
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) mandates extended health coverage for individuals after employment termination, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) further addresses the health coverage gap by expanding Medicaid and implementing employer mandates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal law requiring most employers to offer qualified individuals the chance to continue their health plan coverage at group rates when coverage would otherwise end is known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA enacted provisions that mandate extended health coverage for employees after leaving a job, allowing them to maintain insurance benefits for a limited period.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly called Obamacare, further extended health care coverage by making reforms to the health insurance industry and expanding Medicaid coverage to a wider range of Americans, including those earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.
The ACA established employer mandates that require businesses with over 50 employees to offer health insurance. In this context, offering continued coverage under COBRA and mandating employer-provided insurance are part of a broader strategy to combat health insurance adverse selection issues and ensure that more Americans have access to necessary health care services.