Biden touts Affordable Care Act enrollment spike

The White House is reporting strong enrollment numbers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) one week after enrollment began, with 300,000 new customers signing up for plans already.

President Biden on Thursday wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, “In the first week of Open Enrollment, 1.6 million people have signed up for a plan at HealthCare.gov, including 301,000 new consumers — that’s a 50% increase from last year.”

Enrollment rates through HealthCare.gov have gone up year over year since 2020. The pressures of the pandemic led to more people seeking out health insurance and maintaining coverage. This year’s enrollment numbers are expected to exceed last year’s — 16.3 million — once again.

The Inflation Reduction Act also extended pandemic-era enhanced subsidies to last through 2025, lowering premiums and making plans more accessible for more people.

“These strong enrollment numbers underscore the impact of the President’s efforts to lower health care costs. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, HealthCare.gov consumers are continuing to save an average of $800 per person per year on the their health insurance premiums, and 4 out of 5 shoppers at HealthCare.gov can find a plan for less than $10 per person per month,” a White House official said in a statement.

Additional efforts to boost enrollment are being made during this year’s sign-up period in response to unusual circumstances.

The millions who have been disenrolled from Medicaid this year following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency were granted an expanded window to enroll in ACA plans, having until July 31, 2024, to sign up for a plan.

People who are already enrolled may also find that they are automatically reenrolled in higher-tier plans this year due to a policy change. That change directs HealthCare.gov to check if those on Bronze plans are eligible for cost-sharing reduction plans at the Silver level.