Biden reopens online health insurance marketplaces, citing 'damage' from Trump

[webfact]

Biden reopens online health insurance marketplaces, citing 'damage' from Trump

By Trevor Hunnicutt

 

U.S. President Joe Biden puts down his pen after signing executive orders strengthening access to affordable healthcare at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday reopened the nation's online health insurance marketplace for people who cannot obtain coverage through their employers, in a move he said was aimed at undoing "damage" done by his predecessor Donald Trump.

 

In an executive order, Biden restored access to healthcare.gov, allowing Americans to sign up for insurance through the government exchange from Feb. 15 to May 15, the White House said. The program is normally accessible for just six weeks a year.

 

Biden, who took office last week, also directed federal agencies to "re-examine" Trump-era policies like work requirements that made it more difficult for people to qualify for Medicaid, the government-run health insurance program for the poor.

 

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a series of executive orders on access to affordable healthcare, which he described as undoing 'the damage' caused by former President Donald Trump.

 

The actions were the latest in a blizzard of moves by the new Democratic president to reverse the policies of the Republican Trump.

 

"Today I'm about to sign two executive orders - basically the best way to describe them - to undo the damage Trump has done," Biden said in the Oval Office.

 

He also rescinded the "Mexico City Policy" that bans U.S. funding for international non-profit organizations that provide abortion counseling.

 

Biden has vowed to shore up programs created under former President Barack Obama's sweeping 2010 Affordable Care Act, arguing that the changes are urgent because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 430,000 Americans and thrown millions out of work.

 

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said Biden’s actions "are a lifeline for millions of American families and a clear sign that our nation now has the leadership in the White House to turn these crises around."

 

Biden has made battling the virus a priority of his first days in office and proposed a new $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package for individuals and businesses on top of $4 trillion in aid approved last year.

 

The U.S. Senate and House will begin moving forward on the plan next week but Republicans and some Democrats have balked at the cost.

 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said after Thursday's signing that Biden has been having calls with lawmakers on the legislation and said there is no intention to split the bill into two to ease passage.

 

She also said the Department of Health and Human Services will amend rules to allow recently retired doctors and nurses to administer the coronavirus vaccine to Americans, as it seeks to speed up the roll-out across the country.

 

Republicans have long opposed the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, criticizing the cost and quality of care as well as extensive government involvement in healthcare markets.

 

The Trump administration reduced spending on programs to help the uninsured sign up for federally subsidized private insurance under Obamacare.

 

It also set in motion a reduction in user fees that provide the bulk of exchange revenues, leading experts to warn that cuts in spending for consumer information, outreach and assistance activities could be difficult to reverse.

 

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Sonya Hepinstall; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alistair Bell)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-29

 

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[RichardColeman]

Wonder how many Americans would vote for giving up 12% of their wages for free health care like the UK ? Then again, with obesity in the USA near 40%, I doubt the vote would get through for fear of takeaway withdrawals and mass unemployment.

[Bluespunk]

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

 U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday reopened the nation's online health insurance marketplace for people who cannot obtain coverage through their employers, in a move he said was aimed at undoing "damage" done by his predecessor Donald Trump.

Good man. 

[Bluespunk]

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

Today I'm about to sign two executive orders - basically the best way to describe them - to undo the damage Trump ha

Unfortunately it’s going to take a lot to undo trumps appalling legacy but President Biden has made a good start. 

[Scott]

An off-topic post removed.   This thread is about the re-opening of Obamacare. 

 

[Damrongsak]

I smell BS.  Our family has been on "Affordable Care" for a number of years, though only my wife is on it now.  I haven't noticed a whole lot of changes.  Cost changes according to income and which policy you choose. 

 

"The Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare", was developed to help individuals access affordable health insurance through a health insurance marketplace where Americans can purchase federally regulated and subsidized health insurance during open enrollment.  In order to qualify, you must sign up during Open Enrollment but could still be eligible if you had a qualifying life event such as changing jobs, getting married/divorced, moving, etc."

 

People suddenly want to buy insurance when they get sick.  It doesn't normally work that way.  However, with the Affordable Health Care, I was able to get a policy with a precondition and I had no insurance after a job loss.  It was the first year they offered it. I had a 6.5 cm abdominal aortal aneurysm (ticking time bomb) which would have killed me in about a year or less.   Hospitals were estimating it would cost me $100,000 +.  With the insurance ($75/month for 3 people) I maybe paid $500 out of pocket.  Now with our income I pay around $425/month for only my wife who is about 62.

 

This is all look good stuff. 

[Damrongsak]

10 minutes ago, Scott said:

An off-topic post removed.   This thread is about the re-opening of Obamacare. 

 

This is not reopening, just extending the enrollment period.  Period. 

[Tug]

That’s wonderful news for many the Biden administration is doing pretty good so far imo of course they dident have to do much to better than the last administration 

[smedly]

Exactly why he and his cohorts are now running the show 

 

Health Insurance is the biggest scam on the planet 

 

Big Business interests back in the driving seat

[Jeffr2]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Wonder how many Americans would vote for giving up 12% of their wages for free health care like the UK ? Then again, with obesity in the USA near 40%, I doubt the vote would get through for fear of takeaway withdrawals and mass unemployment.

Guess you're not aware the UK is about in the same league with regards to fat citizens.  Just a hair below the US.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_body_mass_index

 

Right now, many Americans don't have access to health care.  Obamacare was a step in the right direction.  Health care is extremely expensive in the US.  Reform is desperately needed.  And guaranteed, this won't result in mass unemployment...jeez...

[Jeffr2]

3 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

I smell BS.  Our family has been on "Affordable Care" for a number of years, though only my wife is on it now.  I haven't noticed a whole lot of changes.  Cost changes according to income and which policy you choose. 

 

"The Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare", was developed to help individuals access affordable health insurance through a health insurance marketplace where Americans can purchase federally regulated and subsidized health insurance during open enrollment.  In order to qualify, you must sign up during Open Enrollment but could still be eligible if you had a qualifying life event such as changing jobs, getting married/divorced, moving, etc."

 

People suddenly want to buy insurance when they get sick.  It doesn't normally work that way.  However, with the Affordable Health Care, I was able to get a policy with a precondition and I had no insurance after a job loss.  It was the first year they offered it. I had a 6.5 cm abdominal aortal aneurysm (ticking time bomb) which would have killed me in about a year or less.   Hospitals were estimating it would cost me $100,000 +.  With the insurance ($75/month for 3 people) I maybe paid $500 out of pocket.  Now with our income I pay around $425/month for only my wife who is about 62.

 

This is all look good stuff. 

It's run by the states.  Some doing better than others.  Seems you're in a state where things are still being run properly.  That's not true across all states.

 

Congrats to Biden for stepping up to help the millions without health insurance. 

[bunnydrops]

3 hours ago, Damrongsak said:

This is not reopening, just extending the enrollment period.  Period. 

Its a bit of a yes and no. It was closed a month ago. Biden re opened it. But there isn't any changes to the program itself.

[Jeffr2]

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2020/10/09/six-ways-trump-has-sabotaged-the-affordable-care-act/

 

Six ways Trump has sabotaged the Affordable Care Act

 

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/12/09/trump-takes-a-final-shot-at-obamacare-exchanges

 

On his way out of the White House, President Donald Trump is taking one last swipe at the Affordable Care Act, proposing to allow states to opt out of the Obamacare exchanges where millions of Americans enroll in health insurance plans.

 

If states choose this potential new option, residents would no longer have access to a one-stop shop for health insurance. Instead, they would have to find their way to private insurance brokers or individual carriers.

 

 

[Pique Dard]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Biden reopens online health insurance marketplaces, citing 'damage' from Trump

in the real world, universal health care should be a human right especially in the usa, the land of liberties. a sick individual can't enjoy liberty, obviously

[AgMech Cowboy]

Thank goodness I'm over 65 and now covered by Medicare. I had to get a policy when I was unemployed, 64, and broke. I couldn't afford it. After 3 months the policy cancelled and I had to pay a fine of $600. This government health insurance in the USA is a scam.

1 hour ago, Pique Dard said:

in the real world, universal health care should be a human right especially in the usa, the land of liberties. a sick individual can't enjoy liberty, obviously

BS!

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

Thank goodness I'm over 65 and now covered by Medicare. I had to get a policy when I was unemployed, 64, and broke. I couldn't afford it. After 3 months the policy cancelled and I had to pay a fine of $600. This government health insurance in the USA is a scam.

BS!

If you were really broke then you would have been eligible for Medicaid and paid nothing at all.

[Credo]

I have two family members who lost their jobs and medical insurance.  Neither could afford to pay for insurance.   The first day the exchange opened, they signed up.  The insurance didn't take effect until Jan 1, but at least their family is covered.   

 

The extended date looks like it will help because I know a few more families that will be laid off shortly and they too will lose medical insurance.