Which federal statute was designed to expand access to affordable health coverage in the U.S.?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is the federal statute specifically aimed at expanding access to affordable health coverage in the United States. Enacted in 2010, this legislation introduced several key provisions intended to increase insurance coverage options for individuals, including the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for low-income individuals, and the implementation of mandates requiring most Americans to obtain health insurance.

Moreover, the PPACA includes essential health benefits that insurance plans must cover, limits on out-of-pocket expenses, and measures to prevent discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. These components collectively work to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for a broader segment of the population, thus addressing disparities in health coverage.

Other statutes listed pertain to different aspects of healthcare. The Patient Self-Determination Act focuses on patients' rights regarding their medical treatment choices; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act deals primarily with the privacy and security of health information, ensuring that individuals' health data is protected; and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act mainly relates to payment systems for Medicare services and does not directly address overall access to health insurance.