The Affordable Care Act (ACA) recently marked its tenth anniversary, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighting that participation in the program has reached an all-time high. Currently, there are 45 million people currently enrolled, and HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for
According to an HHS news release, the HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation released three reports detailing how the marketplace has evolved over its first decade. These reports provide enrollment data by race and ethnicity and highlight current enrollment trends.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra spoke about how integral ACA marketplaces have become in American society: "On the ten-year anniversary of the ACA marketplaces, HHS is releasing data that shows just how profoundly it has reshaped what health care looks like for so many Americans." He continued by acknowledging President Biden's leadership role in this development: "Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, more than 21 million Americans have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces—an all-time high—with millions of families saving hundreds of dollars every month." Becerra concluded by reaffirming HHS's commitment to ensuring more people have access to affordable, high-quality health care.and Evaluation's (ASPE) analysis shows that the ACA's Marketplaces and Medicaid expansion is the reason behind the high numbers.
Also, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, over 21 million consumers selected or were automatically re-enrolled in health coverage during 2024’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure reflected on the progress made by the ACA, saying, "As we look back and celebrate the historic achievements of the Affordable Care Act, the law continues to live up to its purpose of providing affordable, quality health care coverage to Americans. Gone are the days when being a woman was considered a pre-existing condition or sick children could be denied health insurance. Today, over 100 million Americans have coverage through either Marketplace or Medicaid, thanks (in part) to increased affordability thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act." She added that the commitment to strengthening the ACA and increasing access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage remains steadfast.
