What legislation increased the number of individuals covered by health care?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at expanding health care coverage to a larger segment of the U.S. population. It introduced measures designed to increase the number of insured individuals, including the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, provisions to expand Medicaid eligibility, and the implementation of individual mandates requiring citizens to obtain health insurance or face penalties.

The ACA also introduced protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions, preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based on health status. Additionally, it provided subsidies to help low- and middle-income individuals afford insurance, further contributing to the increase in coverage. By targeting both the uninsured and underinsured populations, this legislation made substantial strides toward a more inclusive health care system.

The other mentioned acts do not have the same broad and direct impact on health care coverage. For example, the Medicare Reform Act primarily focused on enhancing Medicare benefits, while the Patient Protection Act is part of the ACA but does not encompass its entirety or the direct coverage expansions. The Health Insurance Portability Act mainly dealt with protecting health insurance coverage for workers who lose or change jobs, lacking the provisions aimed at increasing overall coverage.