Biden: 2.8M people signed up for ObamaCare in special period

More than 2.8 million people enrolled in ObamaCare coverage during a special sign-up period this year, bringing the total number of people enrolled under the health law to a record 12.2 million, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.

The Biden administration opened the special sign-up period upon taking office early this year, arguing that people needed an extra opportunity to sign up for health insurance given the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment closed on Aug. 15.

“I am pleased to report that 2.8 million more Americans have gained access to reliable health coverage through HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces,” President Biden said in a statement. “That’s 2.8 million families who will have more security, more breathing room, and more money in their pocket if an illness or accident hits home. Altogether, 12.2 million Americans are actively enrolled in coverage under the Affordable Care Act — an all-time high.”

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program enrollment also hit a record high of 82.3 million people as of April, the administration said.

Financial assistance under the Affordable Care Act was expanded by the American Rescue Plan that Biden signed earlier this year. Officials said that ObamaCare enrollees have saved an average of $67 per month from the expanded help.

Democrats are proposing to make that enhanced financial assistance permanent in their coming $3.5 trillion package, given that the American Rescue Plan only provided for two years of enhanced subsidies.

Biden in his statement called on Congress to pass the package, also noting health care priorities like allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and expanding Medicaid in the 12 GOP-led states that have so far declined the expansion.

“I urge Congress to act quickly to deliver for the American people – to keep up the vital work of expanding access and lowering health care costs across the board, and to continue building on the strong foundation of the Affordable Care Act,” Biden said.