What is one of the ways the ACA seeks to increase healthcare quality?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to enhance healthcare quality primarily by providing mandates and subsidies, which is why this option is correct. One of the key features of the ACA is its establishment of health insurance marketplaces, which enable individuals and families to purchase insurance plans that meet specific quality standards. In addition to the marketplace, the ACA includes subsidies that make health insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income individuals, thereby increasing access to quality healthcare.

These measures are designed not only to expand coverage but also to ensure that the insurance options available meet certain quality benchmarks. By incentivizing insurers to improve their offerings and encouraging preventive services, the ACA promotes overall better health outcomes through increased access to care.

The other options do not align with the objectives of the ACA. The act does not restrict access to insured individuals only, as it aims to broaden coverage. It also does not require additional payments from low-income individuals, as the goal is to reduce financial barriers to care. Lastly, the ACA does not eliminate private insurance; rather, it works in conjunction with it by regulating how private insurance plans operate and by expanding coverage options through the marketplaces.