Some provisions of the act, signed by President Barack Obama in March 2010, have already been implemented, such as creating tax credits for small businesses to help provide health insurance for their employees, requiring insurance companies provide free preventive care services, expanding insurance coverage for young adults and providing health insurance for uninsured people with pre-existing medical conditions.

“We are reviewing the information to determine how it affects us and the patients that we treat,” said Nicole Sanders, a representative from McLaren Central Michigan’s marketing department.

In January 2010, up to 4 million small businesses became eligible for tax credits to help them provide health insurance for their employees, according to healthcare.gov, the government’s official health care reform website.

The first phase of these tax credits covers up to 35 percent of the business’ expenses in providing health insurance for their employees. Small non-profit groups can receive up to 25 percent in credits for health insurance expenses.

The second phase of small business tax credits will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014. Small businesses will be able to receive up to 50 percent of their health insurance expenses in credits, and small non-profits can receive up to 35 percent.

In September 2010, all new insurance plans were required to cover several preventive care services for adults and children, without charging coinsurance, co-pays, or deductibles. On Aug. 1, insurance plans were required to cover eight more preventive services for women without extra charge, including contraception, domestic violence screening and counseling, HIV and HPV screening and sexually transmitted infections counseling.

“Preventive health care, physicals, immunizations, birth control, and family planning will be covered on insurance policies,” said Steven Berkshire, director of CMU’s Doctor of Health Administration program.

September 2010 also saw the expansion of insurance coverage for young adults, who are now allowed to remain on their parents’ plans until age 26. This applies even if young adults are married, not living with their parents, attending school, not financially dependent on their parents, or if they are eligible to enroll in their employer’s insurance plan.

“This is good because a large number of people between the ages of 18 and 26 are not insured,” Berkshire said.

In July 2010, a national Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan was established, allowing people who have been uninsured for six months due to pre-existing conditions to get health insurance. States are able to choose whether they utilize this program; Michigan is one of the states that use it. Starting in 2014, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

At the end of June, the Supreme Court upheld the act's individual mandate, which requires everyone, with a few exceptions for financial or religious reasons, to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty fee.

Berkshire said the individual mandate for health insurance will spread risks for insurance companies among all of their clients, similar to the way it does for automobile insurance.

“Ninety-eight percent of the population will be insured,” he said.

Eaton Rapids junior Stacey Johnston said because of her studies in social work, she understands the importance of reforming the United States’ healthcare.

“I think the upholding of the Affordable Care Act is a big step in the right direction,” she said.