In 2014, health insurance companies were prohibited from denying coverage to individuals based on pre-existing conditions. This was made possible by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The ACA introduced several reforms to the health insurance industry, including the elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions. Under the ACA, health insurance companies were required to offer coverage to all individuals, regardless of their health status or medical history. This provision aimed to ensure that individuals with pre-existing conditions could access affordable health insurance coverage. Prior to the ACA, individuals with pre-existing conditions often faced difficulties in obtaining health insurance or were charged higher premiums due to their health status. However, it is important to note that while health insurance companies were prohibited from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, they could still deny coverage for other reasons, such as failure to pay premiums or fraud. Additionally, the ACA provided subsidies and tax credits to help individuals and families afford health insurance coverage. These subsidies were based on income and helped make health insurance more affordable for many individuals and families. Overall, the implementation of the ACA in 2014 significantly expanded access to health insurance coverage and reduced the ability of insurance companies to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.