The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces are witnessing a historic surge in enrollments, with over 19 million Americans signing up this year, marking a third consecutive year of record-breaking numbers. This figure includes enrollees from both state-based and federal marketplaces, with over 15 million signing up through the 33 states using the federal marketplace. Notably, December 15 saw the highest single-day enrollment on HealthCare.gov since its inception, with 745,000 people registering.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the affordability of these plans, noting that 80% of shoppers find plans with monthly premiums of $10 or less. This achievement comes despite about 25 million Americans still lacking health insurance, a significant reduction from the numbers prior to the ACA’s enactment in 2010.
Becerra emphasized the role of Medicaid expansion in reducing uninsured rates. While Medicaid enrollment reached approximately 94 million during the pandemic, states are now reassessing eligibility, leading to around 12 million people losing coverage, often due to administrative errors. Although some of these individuals find affordable options on healthcare.gov, others are at risk of losing coverage entirely.
The ACA faced challenges under the Trump administration, including reduced enrollment periods and diminished public awareness efforts. Trump has expressed intentions to repeal the ACA if re-elected. Meanwhile, the current administration continues efforts to bolster ACA marketplaces and Medicaid to address the health insurance gap in America.
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