‘Obamacare’ registration opens, as Republicans threaten health insurance program used by millions

WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans can start to register Friday for health care coverage offered through the Affordable Care Act market for 2025, days before the presidential election that could threaten eligibility and raise costs for millions of those in the program.

The future of Obamacare has emerged as a key issue in the final days of the presidential campaign, with a top GOP leader promising this week to overhaul the program if Republican Donald Trump wins the presidency. .

Billions of dollars in tax credits are also at stake. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund has increased eligibility for millions of Americans, made health insurance affordable for many and fueled massive enrollment.

Nearly all of the 21 million people in the program have benefited from those subsidies, which will expire next year, US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“Americans can really look at health care not as a privilege, but now as a right,” said Becerra, who is traveling to Arizona’s congressional district on Friday to mark the start of open enrollment. “I don’t think anyone wants to be taken away from them to get affordable health insurance.”

But major changes to the program are almost certain if Trump wins the White House and Republicans take control of Congress in Tuesday’s contested election. They are threatening to cut “Obamacare,” a signature achievement of former President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

On Monday, a close friend of Trump, Speaker of the House Mike Johnsonhe announced “No Obamacare” during the campaign stop in Pennsylvania, promising “big change” under a Trump presidency and a Republican-controlled Congress.

“Health care reform is going to be a big part of the plan,” Johnson said in the first video obtained by NBC News.

Johnson’s office later issued a statement saying he had no plans to completely repeal the landmark law, but the comments underscored how closely Johnson is working with Trump to roll back the federal government and programs. of the public if the Republicans come to power.

Trump has only said that he has “ideas for a plan” to change the Affordable Care Act, which he was unable to completely destroy during his previous term. In recent months, Republicans have raised concerns about spending and fraud.

Subscriptions under the Biden administration increased, after years of decline during the Trump administration, dropping below 11 million to watch Trump. But taxpayers must pour billions of dollars more into the Affordable Care Act to achieve that increase. That money helped pay for subsidies to cut premiums in half for many enrollees in the program.

Congress will need to pass new legislation to continue providing those subsidies, which can be costly $335 billion in the next ten years. Some Republicans now dispute that figure.

Democrats have warned voters that Republicans will try to revive an attempt to kill the Affordable Care Act outright, with warnings growing louder as Election Day approaches.

In Wisconsin, Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a warning, telling reporters that Johnson’s words prove that Republicans are planning to cut health care. “It’s been part of Donald Trump’s agenda for a long time,” Harris said. “He has made many attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And now we have another confirmation of that plan from his sponsor, the speaker of the House.”

The Biden administration has expanded the program in some ways that Harris may continue, but Trump is sure to push back. For example, the administration poured a lot of money into hiring health insurance brokers who help sign people up for services.

The White House has also implemented a new initiative rule which extends program eligibility to immigrants brought to the US as children. About 100,000 of those immigrants, also called “Dreamers,” are expected to register for protection for the first time during this year’s registration period.

Republican attorneys general in 15 states have accused to prevent their registration.

Open registration for the broadcast ends on January 15th, but to have services in the new year you must register by December 15th.

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AP reporters Lisa Mascaro and Stephen Groves contributed to this story.