What is the primary goal of the 'Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act' (PPACA)?

The primary goal of the 'Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act' (PPACA), commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is to expand access to health insurance and lower healthcare costs. By introducing measures such as the expansion of Medicaid, the creation of health insurance marketplaces, and the establishment of regulations that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, the ACA aims to make healthcare more accessible to a larger portion of the population. Additionally, it seeks to mitigate rising healthcare costs through various provisions designed to promote competition among insurers and reduce wasteful spending within the healthcare system.

This focus on increasing access and affordability directly addresses the challenges many individuals face in obtaining adequate health coverage and managing healthcare expenses, making it a central tenet of the legislation.