AAFP Advocacy Focus: Health Care Coverage
Making Health Care Coverage Accessible and Affordable for All
The Academy's long history of supporting health care coverage for all led to its championing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The ACA's 2010 enactment instituted a number of reforms meant to ensure greater access to health insurance, with its Health Insurance Marketplaces providing a comprehensive resource for consumers to research insurance plans, receive financial assistance, and purchase coverage.
Marketplace plans include protections established under the ACA, including nondiscriminatory coverage of individuals with pre-existing conditions, no lifetime coverage limits, and options for individuals to stay on a parent’s plan until age 26. In addition, all Marketplace plans are required to provide minimum levels of coverage, known as essential health benefits.
Why We Fight
The Academy supports health care for all and strongly advocates for legislative and regulatory policy — including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare — that advances the shared principles of primary care.
Affordable Care Act
Academy statements and positions on the ACA and how that legislation has improved access to high-quality health care for all Americans.
Children's Health Insurance Program
The AAFP's statements and positions on CHIP, which allows states to expand health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for traditional Medicaid but too low to afford private health insurance.
Medicaid
AAFP statements and positions on Medicaid and changes to that program, one of the largest U.S. health plans.
Medicare
Academy statements and positions related to its ongoing advocacy for expanded health care coverage under Medicare.