In the Affordable Care Act’s first open enrollment period, 8 million Americans signed up for private health insurance through the state and federal health marketplaces.
President Obama announced the latest figures on April 17, more than 2 weeks after the close of the first open enrollment period. Though March 31 was the deadline for signing up, individuals who had started the process by the deadline were given until April 15 to complete the process. During that time, nearly 1 million additional people signed up for health plans.
healthcare.gov
More young people have signed up for coverage as well. President Obama reported that in the federally run marketplaces, 35% of the sign-ups were from individuals under age 35, including children. About 28% of sign-ups were from young adults aged 18-34 years. That’s similar to the percentage of young adults who signed up for insurance in Massachusetts during the first year of its health reform effort, according to the White House.
"The Affordable Care Act is working," President Obama said during a White House press conference.
He once again called on the ACA’s opponents to stop trying to repeal it.
Rep. Fred Upton (R- Mich.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the law has disrupted health care for millions of Americans, limited access to physicians, and caused insurance premiums to skyrocket.
"The administration still has not answered basic questions about enrollment and why it will not support fairness for all," Rep. Upton said in a statement.
mschneider@frontlinemedcom.com
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