The pros of the Obamacare legislation include the fact that individual/family health insurance: is now guaranteed-issue,[efn_note]“Affordable Care Act Basics” HHS.gov, July 2021[/efn_note] covers pre-existing conditions,[efn_note]“Health insurance rights & protections” HealthCare.gov, Accessed October 2023[/efn_note] includes coverage for all of the essential health benefits,[efn_note]“Essential health benefits” HealthCare.gov, Accessed October 2023[/efn_note] and government subsidies may pay for a significant portion of many enrollees’ premiums.[efn_note]“In Celebration of 10 Years of ACA Marketplaces, the Biden-Harris Administration Releases Historic Enrollment Data” HHS.gov, March 22, 2024[/efn_note] The cons depend on your perspective, but include the fact that individual/family health insurance is no longer available for purchase year-round, and can be quite expensive for people who don’t qualify for premium subsidies (although recent legislation has temporarily ensured that nobody has to pay more than 8.5% of their household income for the benchmark plan).[efn_note]“Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits Improve Coverage Affordability for Middle-Income Americans” CMS.gov, Accessed September 2023[/efn_note]