More than 21 million individuals have signed up for Health plans through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Biden administration. This record level of enrollment comes amidst former president Donald Trump’s vow to repeal the program if elected as the GOP nominee.
The surge in sign-ups for the ACA since President Biden took office in 2021 and expanded the subsidies available to consumers reflects a broader trend of increasing favorability for the program. This has been observed since President Barack Obama’s presidency, when the ACA was passed, through multiple repeal efforts during President Trump’s time in office, and into the current administration. About 6 in 10 Americans now have a favorable view of the program, representing a significant shift from similar surveys between 2010 and 2017.
The Affordable Care Act’s growing popularity is largely attributed to its Medicaid expansion, which has supported millions of low-income Americans in gaining coverage. Federal officials have projected that millions of people, who lost their Medicaid coverage during the pandemic, will be eligible for subsidized coverage on the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges as the public health emergency ends.
The Biden administration has made health plans in the Affordable Care Act more affordable through legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which expanded subsidy eligibility and extended subsidies. Notably, about 80% of shoppers on the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces can find coverage for less than $10 per month.
The issue of healthcare and the future of the Affordable Care Act has become politically charged, with polling suggesting that voters trust Democratic politicians more than Republicans to handle this important issue. Democrats have also taken center stage by embracing the issue and running ads highlighting Trump’s recent attacks and the health benefits of the ACA.
The significance of the Affordable Care Act and its Politics has only grown in recent years. The program’s future and the ongoing debate surrounding it could impact millions of Americans, making it a pressing issue for political candidates to discuss. It has captured the attention of the public and politicians alike.
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