The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that a record number of Americans had enrolled in the Affordable Care Act to start this year, making it the third straight year of enrollment records set.
The administration shared that more than 21 million people had signed up for healthcare plans through Obamacare’s health insurance marketplace. Altogether, 16 million people renewed their coverage, and an additional 5 million new individuals joined.
Last week, the Affordable Care Act closed its open enrollment period in 32 states that use the federal HealthCare.gov platform.
Eighteen states and Washington, D.C., operate their own marketplaces. Four of those states and the nation’s capital are still accepting applications for open enrollment through the end of January.
By the time the 2024 enrollment period ends, the administration expects the final number of those enrolled to increase.
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure shared that the numbers show the importance of affordable healthcare.
“These historic enrollment numbers are a testament to the need for comprehensive, quality, affordable health insurance, and we must do everything we can to protect and expand access to coverage for all people,” Brooks-LaSure said in a press release.
And the numbers Brooks-LaSure is referencing go beyond this year. Between 2020 and 2024, the administration shared that Americans enrolling in the Affordable Care Act rose 87%.
“Numbers do not lie: Not only is demand for Marketplace insurance coverage at an all-time high, but the Marketplaces are delivering on the Affordable Care Act’s promise to provide the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance to millions of Americans,” Brooks-LaSure said.