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| Obamacare Sign-ups at High Levels Despite Trump Saying It’s ‘Imploding’ | Obamacare Sign-ups at High Levels Despite Trump Saying It’s ‘Imploding’ |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Thursday that 8.8 million people had signed up for health insurance through the federal marketplace, only slightly lower than last year’s numbers when the open enrollment period was twice as long and heavily advertised. | WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Thursday that 8.8 million people had signed up for health insurance through the federal marketplace, only slightly lower than last year’s numbers when the open enrollment period was twice as long and heavily advertised. |
| The numbers essentially defied President Trump’s assertion that “Obamacare is imploding” and could re-energize the efforts by both parties for and against President Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement. | The numbers essentially defied President Trump’s assertion that “Obamacare is imploding” and could re-energize the efforts by both parties for and against President Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement. |
| Seema Verma, the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, reported the total in a Twitter post. She said her agency had done a great job to “make this the smoothest experience for consumers to date.” | Seema Verma, the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, reported the total in a Twitter post. She said her agency had done a great job to “make this the smoothest experience for consumers to date.” |
| In the last open enrollment period, which was twice as long, 9.2 million people selected health plans through the federal marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. | In the last open enrollment period, which was twice as long, 9.2 million people selected health plans through the federal marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. |
| Consumer advocates said they were pleasantly surprised to see how many people had signed up in the latest enrollment period. And the numbers could go higher. In some states that run their own exchanges, consumers have more time to sign up. The deadline is Jan. 14 in Minnesota, Jan. 15 in Washington State and Jan. 31 in California and New York. | Consumer advocates said they were pleasantly surprised to see how many people had signed up in the latest enrollment period. And the numbers could go higher. In some states that run their own exchanges, consumers have more time to sign up. The deadline is Jan. 14 in Minnesota, Jan. 15 in Washington State and Jan. 31 in California and New York. |
| “It’s a very, very strong number,” said Joshua Peck, who was the chief marketing officer for HealthCare.gov in the Obama administration. “It implies that the final week of open enrollment this year was very big.” | “It’s a very, very strong number,” said Joshua Peck, who was the chief marketing officer for HealthCare.gov in the Obama administration. “It implies that the final week of open enrollment this year was very big.” |
| The latest enrollment period, which ran from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, faced unusual challenges. Many insurers announced big rate increases for 2018. The Trump administration slashed the budget for advertising to promote enrollment and greatly reduced grants to insurance counselors known as navigators who help people sign up for coverage. | The latest enrollment period, which ran from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, faced unusual challenges. Many insurers announced big rate increases for 2018. The Trump administration slashed the budget for advertising to promote enrollment and greatly reduced grants to insurance counselors known as navigators who help people sign up for coverage. |
| In the first nine months of this year, Republicans tried repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act, continually criticized it and asserted that health insurance markets were collapsing. Mr. Trump highlighted huge increases in premiums without noting that many consumers were eligible for federal subsidies that help cover the extra cost. | In the first nine months of this year, Republicans tried repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act, continually criticized it and asserted that health insurance markets were collapsing. Mr. Trump highlighted huge increases in premiums without noting that many consumers were eligible for federal subsidies that help cover the extra cost. |
| For weeks, consumers have been confused about whether they would be subject to penalties for going without insurance. Congress voted this week to eliminate the penalties, starting in 2019. | For weeks, consumers have been confused about whether they would be subject to penalties for going without insurance. Congress voted this week to eliminate the penalties, starting in 2019. |
| The report Thursday shows sign-ups by people in 39 states that use HealthCare.gov. It does not include activity in 11 states that operate their own insurance exchanges. | The report Thursday shows sign-ups by people in 39 states that use HealthCare.gov. It does not include activity in 11 states that operate their own insurance exchanges. |
| In addition, people losing coverage because their insurer withdrew from the marketplace may qualify for a special enrollment period providing 60 additional days to sign up for a health plan. | In addition, people losing coverage because their insurer withdrew from the marketplace may qualify for a special enrollment period providing 60 additional days to sign up for a health plan. |
| The new numbers could reignite the fight around the health law. The tax cut that Mr. Trump will soon sign into law repeals the Affordable Care Act’s tax penalties for most Americans who are not insured. The president said Wednesday that without the mandate, the health law is effectively repealed, a statement that is untrue given the law’s expansion of Medicaid and the continuing demand for coverage. | |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, effectively pushed back on the president with a pledge to try again to repeal the law. | Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, effectively pushed back on the president with a pledge to try again to repeal the law. |