Record Obamacare Enrollment Achieved Under Biden
TL/DR –
Obamacare coverage has significantly increased during President Joe Biden’s term, with nearly 24 million people signing up for Affordable Care Act plans for 2025. This rise is attributed to more generous federal subsidies, increased outreach, and an easier enrollment process. However, these gains are at risk as the enhanced federal premium subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025, potentially leaving 4 million people uninsured and significantly increasing premiums for millions of Americans.
Obamacare Popularity Surges under Biden’s Administration
Under President Joe Biden, Obamacare has witnessed a significant increase in uptake, largely due to enhanced federal subsidies, optimized outreach, and a simplified enrollment process. To date, nearly 24 million people have enrolled for Affordable Care Act plans for 2025, with open enrollment concluding on January 15 in most states, attracting almost 3.2 million new sign-ups, and over 20.4 million returning members.
“Enrollment has doubled compared to the previous administration, providing health insurance coverage for more Americans,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stated. “For four consecutive years, ACA enrollment and health insurance coverage records have been broken.”
Yet, these gains might be short-lived: the enhanced federal premium subsidies are set to expire by the end of 2025. It’s up to the Republican-led Congress under Trump to extend them. During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump hinted at a possible termination of the Affordable Care Act, later pivoting to a commitment to enhance Obamacare, despite lacking specific plans.
Record Drop in Uninsured Americans
Obamacare enrollment growth, combined with increased Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage, has reduced the uninsured rate to a record low of 7.6%, benefiting over 300 million Americans, including more than 100 million through Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and CHIP programs.
Low-income Americans, who can access plans with minimal or zero premiums due to the enhanced subsidies, have mainly driven Obamacare enrollment growth, as stated in a 2024 KFF report. The temporary subsidies also make healthcare more affordable for the middle class, contributing to their increased enrollment.
The improved Obamacare subsidies allow 80% of consumers to find plans for $10 or less monthly, saving enrollees an average of $800 annually on their premiums. Additionally, Biden’s administration has significantly increased funding for outreach and enrollment assistance and used external data sources for income verification, thus reducing documentation requirements.
If the subsidies expire, the Urban Institute predicts 4 million people would become uninsured. Extension of these subsidies would cost $335 billion over a decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The Biden administration is urging GOP lawmakers to renew the enhanced subsidies, warning that without them, individual and couple premiums could increase significantly. Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy advisor, emphasized, “If Congress doesn’t extend the enhanced premium tax credits, healthcare costs will soar for millions of Americans.”
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