Affordable Care Act is adopted in Washington, D.C.

Also known as Obamacare, the law is passed by Congress and signed by President Barrack Obama. Modeled after state legislation in Massachusetts, it establishes near-universal health care for all Americans. Although the law is upheld by the Supreme Court on June 28, 2012, the resulting health care framework that it creates is not supported by the next administration and details of the legislation continue to face subsequent court challenges.