- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law on March 23, 2010, aiming to expand health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans currently uninsured at an estimated cost of $1.2 trillion over 10 years. - Key provisions include eliminating pre-existing condition limitations, coverage for children until age 26, preventing annual/lifetime coverage limits, and requiring individuals to have health insurance or pay a penalty. - Implementation of provisions occurs between 2010-2020, with major changes such as health insurance exchanges and penalties for uninsured individuals beginning in 2014.