What is the consequence for individuals who do not have health insurance coverage under the ACA?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), individuals who do not have health insurance coverage may face a federal tax penalty. This penalty was designed to encourage individuals to obtain health insurance and ensure a greater number of people are covered. Although the individual mandate requiring everyone to have insurance was effectively nullified in 2019 by reducing the penalty to $0 for most states, it was still a significant aspect of the ACA when it was enacted, and some states have implemented their own penalties for lack of coverage.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of not having health insurance under the ACA. While lack of insurance can limit access to certain medical services, it does not outright prevent individuals from accessing care, as emergency services cannot deny treatment based on insurance status. Employment eligibility is generally not connected to health insurance status, and individuals can still qualify for federal aid for other programs regardless of their health insurance coverage.