Patient protection and affordable care act the first part of the comprehensive health care reform law enacted on march 23 2010 the law was amended by the health care and education reconciliation act on march 30 2010. The patient protection and affordable care act detailed summary the patient protection and affordable care act will ensure that all americans have access to quality affordable health care and will create the transformation within the health care system necessary to contain costs. The patient protection and affordable care act ppaca 2010 hr3590 or affordable care act aca for short is the new health care reform law in america and is often called by its nickname obamacare. And examples to illustrate common benefits scenarios guidance 1001 6of9 readmissions and improve patient safety and promote wellness and health the patient protection and affordable care act section of the law subject implementing document release date