What does the ACA require almost all individuals to maintain?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that nearly all individuals maintain health coverage, which is a central tenet of the law aimed at increasing access to healthcare. This requirement, often referred to as the individual mandate, was established to encourage the healthy population to obtain health insurance, which in turn helps to distribute risk and keeps insurance premiums more affordable for everyone. The ACA also created health insurance marketplaces to facilitate the purchase of insurance and expanded Medicaid to provide coverage for those with lower incomes. The aim of the ACA is to reduce the number of uninsured individuals and ensure that all Americans have access to necessary medical services, thus improving overall public health outcomes.