(CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling Thursday upholding the controversial, massive reform of health care coverage initiated by President Barack Obama. Here are four things Americans learned about the federal government's grand vision to ensure health care for everyone under so-called Obamacare: Skipping insurance no longer an option The individual mandate is the centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration's signature law. The mandate, which the high court let stand, requires most Americans to have health care insurance. Opponents had contended that the government couldn't force citizens to buy health coverage, but the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the individual mandate is legal under the government's taxing powers. The "tax" comes in the form of a financial penalty on certain individuals who do not obtain health insurance, and the Constitution allows for such a tax, the court said.
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The controversial individual mandate is deemed constitutional as a tax matter
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Americans must have health care coverage -- or face fines
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The ruling will continue to play a role this year's presidential election
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The law will allow more people access to preventive screening
The law does promise better care and better health for @placeholder -- at a cost.