human
I've been hearing a lot of talk about the new health care law. I don't know what it is or how it will affect me. Can you tell me about it?
assistant
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is a set of federal health insurance reforms that was passed in 2010 and went into effect in 2014. It requires most Americans to have health insurance or pay a fine, and provides subsidies for those who cannot afford coverage on their own. It also expands Medicaid eligibility, which covers low-income individuals and families, and creates an individual marketplace where people can shop for plans from private insurers.