The White House has announced that ACA enrollment has reached a record high of 12.2 million people due to President Biden’s special enrollment period, which allowed nearly three million people to enroll in health coverage. The Biden administration opened the SEP in February 2021 to ensure people could access ACA coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, more Americans will have access to high-quality, affordable health care for years to come.
Washington Post: Special Enrollment For ACA Health Plans Attracts Nearly 3 Million Consumers. “The additional enrollees push the reliance on ACA health plans to a record level of 12.2 million since the insurance marketplaces that were created under the law first offered health plans in 2014…Wednesday’s report shows that 2.1 million people signed up for new coverage in those states that use HealthCare.gov. In addition, more than 700,000 signed up in 15 states that run their own marketplaces under the ACA.” [Washington Post, 9/15/21]
Bloomberg: Biden Says 2.8 Million Bought Health Coverage In Special Period. “President Joe Biden said 2.8 million Americans signed up for health insurance through Obamacare exchanges during a special enrollment period started early in his presidency, pushing the number of Americans who receive coverage under the Affordable Care Act to an all-time high.” [Bloomberg, 9/15/21]
AP: Nearly 3M Get Health Coverage During COVID-19 Sign-Up. “Biden said Wednesday that the subsidies in his COVID-19 relief law have helped trim premiums by about $67 a month for people who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act, and that 4 in 10 consumers who bought during the special sign-up window found plans for $10 a month or less. Out-of-pocket expenses have also dropped.” [AP, 9/15/21]
Reuters: Nearly 3 Mln Americans Sign Up For Healthcare During Special Enrollment Period. “More than four in 10 Americans who gained coverage during the special enrollment period found a plan for $10 or less a month…Twenty states and the District of Columbia saw premiums decrease by more than $75 a month. Out-of-pocket spending also declined with the median deductible for new enrollees dropping by more than 90%, from $750 to $50” [Reuters, 9/15/21]
Spectrum News: Special Enrollment Period Spurs 2.8 Million Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups. “Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, passed by Congress in March, included enhanced tax credits that lowered premiums for millions of Americans who buy their coverage through the ACA… those subsidies have cut ACA premiums by an average of $67 a month, or about $800 a year. More than four in 10 Americans signed up for plans that cost $10 or less each month. And out-of-pocket spending has declined “dramatically” due to cutting the median deductible for new enrollees from $750 to $50.” [Spectrum News, 9/15/21]
Washington Times: Biden: Special Enrollment Period Sparked 2.8M Obamacare Signups. “Mr. Biden’s coronavirus bill temporarily increased the assistance across the board and made people earning over 400% above the poverty line eligible for federal assistance for the first time, removing the income cap and offering financial help if “benchmark” premiums exceed 8.5% of income. The president said the jump in sign-ups offers a good reason to extend the benefit as part of his sweeping family assistance proposals now being debated in Congress.” [Washington Times, 9/15/21]