The Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress and then signed into law by the President on March 23, 2010. On June 28, 2012 the Supreme Court rendered a final decision to uphold the health care law. Information about the law is available from these Healthcare.gov links.

• Key Features of the Law
• Timeline for Changes
• Patient Information
  
  
• What does it mean for North Dakota?
• What does it mean for South Dakota?
  
• North and South Dakota have both chosen to defer to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace program.  
  

NACHC Resources

• What Patients Should Know about Health Reform
• Health Centers and Medicaid

Frequently Asked Questions Resources

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Memo dated December 10, 2012
  Subject: Frequently Asked Questions on Exchanges, Market Reforms and Medicaid
• Medicaid.gov
  Web Page: Frequently Asked Questions including Medicaid and CHIP Affordable Care Act Implementation
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Dakota
  Health Reform Facts: Frequently Asked Questions 
• North Dakota Insurance Department
  Consumers: Health Care Reform

Impact on Community Health Centers

The new health care law aims to increase access to affordable health care, improve the quality of care, and increase awareness of the value of preventive care. The focus of community health centers (CHCs) is directly aligned. For over 45 years CHCs have worked to bring health care access to all. As a proven model of care, CHCs continue to play a vital role in the delivery of health care to vulnerable populations and high need areas across the nation.

In recognition of this vital role, a trust fund was created as part of the Affordable Care Act specifically for the purpose of expanding CHC locations and services. The process to bring a CHC site to an area of need is driven by the community to meet the needs of the community. Find out more on Becoming a CHC.

State Policy Information

North Dakota Health Care Reform Review Committee Report

Other Resources

• American College of Cardiology
  Health Insurance Marketplace: An Update on Essential Health Benefits and Impact on Providers