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Health Insurance Laws

Learn about some of the laws governing health care and insurance in the United States, including the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA, and others.

The Health Care Law (Affordable Care Act)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes protections for patients and their families. People who need coverage can get affordable and understandable health care insurance.

Americans with Disabilities Act

People with cancer can have long-term disabilities that make it hard to work or get around. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a law that helps protect the civil rights of people with disabilities.

American Rescue Plan Act 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act takes effect April 1, 2021. This law addresses many of the financial problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One portion of the law focuses on lowering insurance premiums and improving access to affordable health care coverage.

COBRA: Keeping Health Insurance After Leaving Your Job

The COBRA law gives people an option to keep workplace health insurance for a while longer if they can’t get coverage through their spouse’s job or the health insurance marketplace. 

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The FMLA helps employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA protects millions of working Americans and their families who have medical conditions or who might have trouble getting medical insurance because of a medical condition that they had before they tried to buy health insurance. 

Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) helps protect many women with breast cancer who choose to have their breasts rebuilt (reconstructed) after a mastectomy.