Which legislation eased restrictions on PPOs?

The Preferred Provider Health Care Act of 1985 is significant because it specifically aimed to create a more favorable environment for Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). This legislation acknowledged the growing importance of PPOs in the health insurance landscape and sought to remove barriers that restricted their establishment and growth. By easing some of the restrictions that were in place, the act allowed for greater flexibility in how PPOs could operate, offering consumers more choices and options for accessing healthcare services.

The other pieces of legislation mentioned, while relevant to health insurance and healthcare practices in general, do not directly pertain to the facilitation or emergence of PPOs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 plays a broader role in overall healthcare reform but does not specifically target PPO restrictions. The Health Maintenance Organization Assistance Act of 1973 and the Amendment to the HMO Act of 1973 primarily focus on Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and do not address the unique dynamics of PPOs.