As a result of his actions, the Department of Health and Human Services will re-enroll in the Federal Affordable Care Act between February 15 and May 15.
It would give Americans who missed the most recent sign-up period, which ended Dec. 15, access to Obamacare’s policies – and to federal aid to pay for them. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 15 million uninsured people could benefit.
Nearly 9 million of them could qualify for free or subsidized coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Individuals earning up to about $ 51,000 and families of four earning up to about $ 104,800 are eligible for grants.
About 36 states use the federal grant, healthcare.gov, for enrollment. According to a White House official, most, if not all, of the states that manage their own markets will also launch special reporting periods.
Yet it is unclear how many people will take the opportunity to choose an Obamacare policy.
The Biden government has promised to make a “robust outreach” effort to make these people aware of the opportunity and help them sign up, the official said. This will include paid advertising, direct outreach to consumers and partnerships with community organizations.
Those enrolling under the new special enrollment period will not experience the restrictions.
More measures coming in the future
The reopening of the federal bursary is far from the last step Biden will take in healthcare. But many of the other efforts will take much longer, in part because they will have to reverse or change rules, waivers and demonstration projects put in place by the Trump administration.
As part of Thursday’s executive action, Biden is starting the process. He ordered federal agencies to re-investigate a multitude of actions his predecessor had taken. These include policies that weaken the protection of people with pre-existing conditions and that undermine the Obamacare exchanges or other health insurance markets.
He also wants agencies to review measures that make it more difficult to enroll with Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and that reduce affordability or financial aid, including for dependents.
And the president is asking agencies to look at the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid waivers and demonstration projects approved or instituted by the Trump administration that could reduce coverage or undermine programs, including job requirements.
The agencies will also consider whether additional actions are needed to strengthen and protect access to healthcare.
Other actions require Congress
Its two main measures – creating a government-controlled public option and increasing Obamacare’s federal premium subsidies – require legislative approval and face much opposition.