Question: Is Obamacare the same as Affordable Care Act?

Answer:  Yes. The official term for the new health care reform law is called Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  Most publications and newspapers refer the new health care law as Affordable Care Act or ACA.  It is a more formal and official usage of the new health care reform.

The term “Obamacare” was originally coined by opponents of the Affordable Care Act as a pejorative term for the law.  By mid-2012, Obamacare had become the most common colloquial term used to refer to the law by both supporters and opponents.

In summary, Affordable Care Act is the same as Obamacare.  Obamacare is also the same as ACA.