Texas Public Policy Foundation, March 2014
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most Americans to have health insurance by March 31, 2014, or else pay a penalty. Those not insured through an employer-sponsored health plan must obtain individual coverage, which must comply with a host of regulations and include certain essential health benefits in order to be eligible for federal subsidies on the exchanges. In addition, the law requires employers with more than 50 employees to offer their workers affordable health insurance beginning in 2015 or 2016, depending on the size of the employer.