A central goal of the 2010 healthcare law, often called Obamacare, was to guarantee coverage to Americans even if they were sick, and end the longstanding practice by health insurers of charging higher premiums to consumers with preexisting conditions. An important tool in assuring equal treatment for all consumers was mandating that health plans cover a basic set of benefits, including prescription drugs, mental health services and maternity care.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 01, 2018 17:48 UTC