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Definition of Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Affordable Care Act (ACA): the ACA is the US health care law that was enacted in March 2010. The law consists of two pieces of legislation: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA). According to the American Public Health Association, the APA "contains numerous provisions that will expand health coverage to 30 million Americans, increase benefits and lower costs for consumers, provide new funding for public health and prevention, bolster our health care and public health workforce and infrastructure, foster innovation and quality in our system, and more."
Related terms: Care Act, Affordable; Act, Affordable Care; Obamacare; ACA