WASHINGTON, December 22, Reuters - More than 4.6 million people gained health coverage in the United States in 2021 through the Affordable Care Act ACA, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday.
Biden, who reopened the nation's online insurance marketplace created by the 2010 law when he took office in January, said that an all-time high of more than 12.6 million Americans signed up in the six weeks following Nov. 1.
According to a Reuters analysis, the enrollment figures for the year come during the second year of the nation grappling with the novel coronavirus, which has led to 51,395, 700 reported cases. HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS USA-TRENDS dgkvlgkrkpb and upended the nation's economy.
Biden said in a statement released by the White House that as we keep fighting the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we continue to expand coverage and lower costs.
The Americans can still sign up for health insurance through January 15 via healthcare.gov, he said.
Biden pointed out his plan to expand health insurance coverage, including a provision to expand coverage under the Medicaid insurance program for the poor in states that did not expand access under the ACA, as well as expand coverage under the Build Back Better plan.