Texas Sees Record Enrollment in Affordable Care Act Plans, Signaling Progress in Health Coverage

Texans Embrace Affordable Care Act, Sign Up for Health Coverage in Record Numbers

Texans are flocking to sign up for cheap or free health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in record numbers. According to federal health data released on Wednesday, more than 1 in 9 residents in Texas are now covered under government-subsidized health plans for 2024.

In a state with the highest number of uninsured residents in the nation, the surge in ACA enrollment is seen as a positive trend by public health advocates. The number of Texas enrollees in ACA programs has climbed by 37% to nearly 3.5 million, marking a significant increase over last year’s figures.

Texas enrollment in ACA plans has more than doubled since 2020, making it one of the states with the highest rate of enrollment growth over the past three years. The plans, which were first made available in 2014, were designed to provide more health insurance options for individuals whose income was not low enough for Medicaid but who could not access insurance through their workplaces.

“This is a huge success,” said Karla Martinez, a senior policy analyst at Every Texan, a left-leaning policy group.

Nationally, enrollment in ACA plans has also reached record highs, with more than 16.3 million people signed up for the plans. President Joe Biden praised the progress in expanding coverage and lowering health care costs for American families, attributing the success to the affordability and accessibility of the plans.

State health care policy watchers credit part of the increase in Texas ACA signups to the release of nearly 2 million Texans from the Medicaid rolls as part of a nationwide effort to return the program to normal levels post-pandemic.

Advocates believe that efforts to increase affordability, outreach, and enrollment through a well-functioning federal marketplace have contributed to the rise in ACA enrollment. According to Biden, 4 out of 5 people searching for an ACA health insurance plan found coverage for $10 a month or less.

The federal government reports that Texans have saved an average of $560 on annual health care premiums for ACA marketplace insurance coverage, thanks to federal tax dollars spent on health care subsidies and premium tax credits.

While the increase in ACA enrollment is a positive development, Texas still leads the nation in the number of uninsured residents, with nearly 5 million people lacking health insurance coverage. Public health advocates and policy watchers continue to debate the best strategies for addressing the state’s high uninsured rate, with some advocating for Medicaid expansion and others proposing alternative solutions to improve access and affordability.

As the debate continues, the success of the ACA in Texas highlights the demand for affordable health care coverage and the importance of ongoing efforts to expand access to quality care for all residents.