Since its first open enrollment in 2013, perceptions about the Affordable Care Act have become a part of the expected norms for health care insurance.
People who were sick in the early 2000s and needed health insurance can remember how difficult that was. A pre-existing condition could price you out of or prevent you from getting insurance altogether. If you had a job with insurance, you wouldn’t dare leave, because your preexisting condition wouldn’t be covered.
While there are still “Obama Care” — as it was originally tagged — haters around, popularity of certain ACA provisions are especially popular, including protections for pre-existing conditions, subsidies to reduce premiums, and allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. These elements have bipartisan support, even among some who may not favor the ACA overall.
Public opinion on the ACA has stabilized, with a majority supporting the insurance program. According to a 2023 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, around 53% of Americans view the ACA favorably, while about 42% view it unfavorably.
Support tends to be higher among younger people and those in lower income brackets. Use of the program also tends to be higher among younger people, lower-income individuals and also the middle-income.
Overall, the ACA has become an essential part of the U.S. healthcare landscape, providing access to affordable insurance for millions who might otherwise struggle to afford it. However, debates over funding, subsidy levels, and the program’s structure continue among policymakers.
Open Enrollment For 2025
Enrollment for 2025 insurance Opens Nov. 1 and t runs until Jan. 15, 2025. To have coverage start on Janu. 1, 2025, individuals must sign up by Dec. 15, 2024. If you enroll between Dece. 16 and Jan. 15, coverage will begin on Feb. 1, 2025.
Eligibility and Renewals: If you’re already enrolled, you should review your coverage options, as plans, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs can change yearly. Renewal is often automatic, but checking for updates in benefits or costs is beneficial.
Financial Assistance and Subsidies: Most enrollees qualify for subsidies that lower monthly premiums. The American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act extended subsidies, which remain available. If your income has changed, be sure to update it to maximize savings.
Expanded Coverage Options: More insurers have entered the marketplace in recent years, offering more choices. This might result in competitive pricing and a better range of coverage.
Medicaid Coverage: The ACA is only available for individuals and families with income above 100% o poverty. Those with lower incomes may qualify for Medicaid in Missouri, where citizens voted to expand Medicaid coverage for individuals with income up to 100% of poverty. In Kansas, where Medicaid has not been expanded, there still exists a gap in available insurance coverage between the very low-income level that qualifies individuals for Medicaid to the income level (100% of poverty) that qualifies them for ACA coverage.
Health and Wellness Incentives: Some ACA plans offer wellness programs and perks, such as access to telehealth, discounted gym memberships, and health screenings at no additional cost.
Special Enrollment Periods: Outside of the main open enrollment period, people may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to life events like marriage, birth, job loss, or a move.
Enrollment Growth: Enrollment has been at record highs, with over 16.3 million people enrolled through ACA marketplaces in 2023. This marks a steady increase in enrollment, particularly among low- to moderate-income individuals and families, largely due to expanded subsidies from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act.
ACA History
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. However, its provisions were phased in over several years:
In 2010, some initial provisions began, such as allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26 and barring insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.
2014: The ACA’s major reforms went into effect, including the launch of the health insurance marketplaces (or exchanges) and the individual mandate requiring most Americans to have health insurance or face a penalty. This year also saw the start of expanded Medicaid in states that chose to participate.
