As Trump Calls for ACA Repeal, Record Numbers of Americans Enroll in Affordable Coverage
Washington, DC — Today, Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined Protect Our Care to discuss the release of the final record-breaking ACA open enrollment numbers from the Department of Health and Human Services. This morning the Biden Administration announced that a record 21.3 million Americans have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces – over nine million more than when President Biden took office. These numbers are nearly double the number of people enrolled when President Biden took office, including more than 5 million new signups.
The Inflation Reduction Act’s cost-saving measures helped more Americans enroll in coverage than ever, with 80 percent of enrollees able to find a health plan through the Marketplace for $10 or less per month. However, we must protect this progress. These tax credits are set to expire in 2025 without congressional action.
Donald Trump has also fully reignited his war on health care as record numbers rely on the ACA for affordable coverage. Repealing the ACA means millions of Americans would lose coverage, costs would skyrocket, and people with pre-existing conditions would lose essential protections.
“We have just hit an all-time high in the number of Americans who have affordable health care coverage because of the Affordable Care Act,” said Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL-14). “The Affordable Care Act is keeping people healthy and helping to keep money in their pockets at a time that they need it. Millions of Floridians and millions of Americans have peace of mind that a preexisting condition or medical diagnosis will not bankrupt them. But former President Trump is threatening to rip affordable coverage away and repeal the ACA if he is elected. He wants to take us backward and take away affordable health plans, so we must rally to prevent him from ever getting back to the White House.”
“Today is one of my favorite days in Congress because today is a health care day!” said Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14). “This is the third straight year of record-breaking enrollment, with more than 23 million Americans signing up for coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. We’ve reached this milestone in part because of my Health Care Affordability Act, which has helped four out of five people find coverage for $10 or less. Congress must build on this progress and make these savings permanent.”
“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer on my 26th birthday,” said Kat Klawes, patient storyteller from Wisconsin. “However, my biggest concern with my diagnosis wasn’t the cancer but how I would be able to afford health care. Thankfully, I was able to register for ACA coverage online. The ACA saved my life and continues to do so by covering preventative care so I know if the cancer ever comes back, but there have been over 50 votes in Congress since 2011 to repeal the ACA. Trump’s repeated statements condemning the ACA and his promises to repeal and replace it, along with GOP policies that have consistently opposed expanding health care access, show the prioritization of political agendas over the well-being of the American people.”
“Democrats have led the charge to make quality, affordable health care a top priority, and as a result, millions more Americans are saving money on premiums and have the care they need to stay healthy,” said Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care. “They continue to fight to lower health care costs for every American and protect those with pre-existing conditions. However, last night Donald Trump all but secured the Republican nomination, putting the ACA at risk once again of repeal and sabotage. It is unconscionable that Trump and his MAGA allies are promising to rip all of this progress away. With a record number of Americans signing up for coverage, it’s clear that Americans want and need the affordable, quality health care made possible through the ACA.”