Surge in ACA Enrollments Signals Renewed Interest in Affordable Healthcare
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces are experiencing a boom, with record numbers signing up for 2024 coverage. As of December 15th, over 15 million people have enrolled, a 33% jump from last year’s 11 million. This trend encompasses both state-based marketplaces and HealthCare.gov, the federal portal.
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) anticipates exceeding 19 million enrollees by the January 17th deadline, nearly 7 million more than when President Biden took office. Coverage begins February 1st. Notably, December 15th saw a record-breaking 745,000 enrollments on HealthCare.gov, signifying the platform’s increasing popularity.
“Millions finding peace of mind through ACA coverage is welcome news,” stated HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to expanding healthcare access and lowering prescription drug costs, making well-being a right, not a privilege.”
Several factors drive this enrollment surge. The potential loss of Medicaid coverage for millions likely plays a role. During the COVID-19 emergencies, states couldn’t remove recipients, leading to nearly 95 million covered by March 2023 (KFF). Additional federal funding for continuous coverage further cushioned the pandemic’s impact.
However, with both emergencies ending in May, states began reassessing Medicaid eligibility. Over 13.3 million enrollees have been removed (KFF), likely an undercount due to reporting delays.
Another contributing factor might be the rise in uninsured individuals under the previous administration. Gallup data shows 13.7% of adults lacked health insurance in 2019, despite being lower than pre-ACA numbers. Notably, the Trump administration cut cost-sharing reductions, repealed the individual mandate penalty, and reduced enrollment outreach (Gallup). Trump still pledges to replace the ACA with his own plan if re-elected.
Despite record enrollments, over 25.6 million non-elderly Americans remain uninsured (KFF). Still, HHS emphasizes prioritizing increased coverage, citing provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that promote affordability and a competitive marketplace.