Which of the following is NOT a goal of the Affordable Care Act?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed with several key objectives aimed at transforming the healthcare landscape in the United States. One of its primary goals is to reduce the number of uninsured individuals, making healthcare more accessible. The ACA also strives to implement reforms that enhance the quality of care, ensuring that patients receive better health services. Furthermore, a significant aspect of the ACA is the expansion of Medicaid coverage, which allows more low-income individuals and families to gain access to healthcare.

In contrast, increasing healthcare costs for patients runs counter to the ACA's overarching mission. The act seeks to lower costs by expanding coverage and providing various subsidies to help individuals afford insurance, thereby aiming to make healthcare more affordable rather than increasing expenses. Thus, the assertion that increasing healthcare costs for patients aligns with the objectives of the ACA is not accurate, affirming that this option is indeed not a goal of the Affordable Care Act.