What requirement was established for pre-existing conditions under the Affordable Care Act reforms of 2014?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reforms of 2014, the key requirement established for pre-existing conditions was that they must be covered for all eligible individuals. This marked a significant change in the health insurance landscape, as prior to the ACA, insurance companies could deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on an individual's health history, including pre-existing conditions.

The ACA aimed to improve access to health care and insurance coverage by ensuring that individuals could not be discriminated against due to their prior health issues. This means that regardless of an individual's health status or the existence of pre-existing conditions, insurers are required to offer the same level of coverage and not impose waiting periods for treatment related to those conditions.

This requirement has helped millions of Americans gain access to necessary healthcare services without facing financial penalties or denial of coverage due to their health history, illustrating the ACA's commitment to promoting equity in healthcare access and coverage.