Final answer:
Arthur's ability to extend his group health coverage for up to 29 months is likely enabled by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), which is separate from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions that focus on broader health insurance access and affordability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal legislation that permits Arthur to extend his group health coverage for up to 29 months is most likely the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA provides certain employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses, and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates when coverage through the employer is lost due to specific qualifying events.
Although not explicitly mentioned, the context suggests that the situation Arthur finds himself in is related to the coverage extensions COBRA offers. It is worth noting that, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) significantly expanded access to health insurance, it did not directly extend COBRA coverage.
The ACA addresses health care access more broadly, offering provisions for uninsured Americans, prohibiting insurance companies from rejecting people for preexisting conditions, and enabling children to stay on their parents' insurance until age 26 among many other benefits.