Biden administration achieves fourth record-breaking ACA enrollment ahead of exit
The Biden administration has achieved a fourth consecutive record year in HealthCare.gov Marketplace enrollment, one week before the final sign-up deadline and its imminent exit from office.
Nearly 24 million people signed up for Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans for 2025, according to White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden, exceeding the 21.3 million people who signed up last year.
The past four years of record-breaking enrollment have been credited to enhanced subsidies first passed by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act through the end of 2025.
"When I took office, I made a promise to the American people that I would bring down the cost of health care and prescription drugs, make signing up for coverage easier, and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid," President Biden said in a statement.
"I’m proud that my Administration delivered – even as Republican elected officials, who have been eager to put millions of Americans coverage at risk, stood in the way," he added. "I urge Congress to double down on the progress we have made and ensure Americans have access to quality, affordable health care by extending the ACA premium tax credit this year.”
While the subsidies have helped expand health insurance, they have also presented a political quagmire. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected that allowing the subsidies to expire in 2025 would result in the uninsurance rate rising by an average of 3.8 million people between 2026-2034.
But the CBO has also previously projected it would cost $335 billion over 10 years to make the enhanced subsidies permanent.
Republicans will hold a trifecta of power in the federal government when the subsidies expire, but the party may be hesitant to be responsible for allowing more affordable health coverage to go away.
Speaking to reporters, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra noted how enmeshed ACA coverage has become among other federal entitlement programs.
"Along with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, ACA Marketplace coverage has become one of the most consequential federally operated programs in the history of our nation," Becerra said. "It's become part of our country's fabric of life, of protecting health and ensuring access to quality services when you or your family member needs care."
ACA open enrollment ends on Jan. 15.
"Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, many people will pay lower premiums after tax credits, which will remain available throughout this year. I urge anyone who needs health care coverage to visit healthcare.gov or to call the Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596," Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during a briefing.