<P> Finally achieving universal health coverage remained a top priority among Democrats , and passing a health reform bill was one of the Obama Administration 's top priorities . The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was similar to the Nixon and Clinton plans , mandating coverage , penalizing employers who failed to provide it , and creating mechanisms for people to pool risk and buy insurance collectively . Earlier versions of the bill included a publicly run insurer that could compete to cover those without employer sponsored coverage ( the so - called public option ) , but this was ultimately stripped to secure the support of moderates . The bill passed the Senate in December 2009 with all Democrats voting in favor and the House in March 2010 with the support of most Democrats . Not a single Republican voted in favor of it either time . </P>
<P> Finally achieving universal health coverage remained a top priority among Democrats , and passing a health reform bill was one of the Obama Administration 's top priorities . The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was similar to the Nixon and Clinton plans , mandating coverage , penalizing employers who failed to provide it , and creating mechanisms for people to pool risk and buy insurance collectively . Earlier versions of the bill included a publicly run insurer that could compete to cover those without employer sponsored coverage ( the so - called public option ) , but this was ultimately stripped to secure the support of moderates . The bill passed the Senate in December 2009 with all Democrats voting in favor and the House in March 2010 with the support of most Democrats . Not a single Republican voted in favor of it either time . </P>
which act established provisions that require u.s. citizens to obtain health ​ insurance
which act established provisions that require u.s. citizens to obtain health ​ insurance
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act