Welp. House Republicans did indeed follow through with passing their horrific (and disgustingly-titled) "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act which will effectively repeal the bulk of the ACA without officially repealing it, and that's just for starters.
The final vote was 215 - 214, with every Republican except a handful voting for it (and the two who voted against it openly admitted to the NY Times that they would have voted for it if their votes had been needed), and every Democrat voting against it. There were 2 Republican "no" votes...but both of those were only because they wanted the final bill to be even more draconian.
There's so many awful things included in the bill, many of which are of course healthcare-related, and it would take hundreds of blog entries to discuss them all...but I want to focus on one in particular.
For over a decade, State-Based Marketplaces have provided private health coverage to tens of millions of Americans, ensuring their health, well-being, and economic security. The Americans who depend on the Marketplaces include working parents, small business owners, farmers, gig workers, early retirees, and lower and middle-class individuals of all ages, political views, and backgrounds who drive our local economies and make both our rural and urban communities thrive.
The legislation under consideration in the House will severely impact the ability of these millions of Americans to continue to access this coverage and the health and financial security they depend on today. This will make for a sicker, less financially secure American public and strain hospitals and health care providers by increasing uncompensated care.
Covered California expresses deep concern regarding the proposed health provisions in the reconciliation bill moving through the House of Representatives.
If enacted, the legislation would have devastating consequences to the health, well-being and financial security of hundreds of thousands of Californians who would lose access to affordable health insurance. It would also lead to greater strain on the health care system and increased costs for individuals and businesses throughout the state.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California announced that 345,711 Californians newly selected a health plan for 2025 during open enrollment and more than 1.6 million Californians renewed their health insurance, bringing Covered California’s overall enrollment to a record-high of 1,979,504 consumers.
That's up another 10.9% vs. last year.
Enrollment rose for the fourth consecutive year after the passage of enhanced premium tax credits through the American Rescue Plan in 2021. The federal enhanced subsidies were supplemented by a California-only Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) program that Californians took advantage of the past two open enrollments.
Covered California Reaches Record-Breaking 1.9M Enrollees Before Open Enrollment’s Jan. 31 Deadline
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has surpassed 1.9 million enrollees, bolstering its record-high enrollment before open enrollment’s Jan. 31 deadline for California’s remaining uninsured.
This open enrollment, 299,060 Californians have signed up for 2025 coverage as of Jan. 26, a 13 percent increase over the same period last year.
Another 1,638,954 Californians have renewed their health insurance plans, a 10 percent jump over the same date last year, with more than 100,000 total enrollees in 2025 as compared to the record enrollment in 2024.
Combined, that's 1,938,014 QHP selections thru 1/26, or 8.6% higher than last year's final OEP tally of 1,784,653 QHPs.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has announced a special-enrollment period for residents of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where a state of emergency has been declared due to the Palisades and Eaton Fires that have destroyed over 12,000 homes and displaced hundreds of thousands of Californians.
“These fires have caused unprecedented destruction and have upended the lives of so many living in Southern California,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “Everyone who is uninsured and has been affected by these fires, directly or indirectly, will have an extended opportunity to obtain health insurance through Covered California or Medi-Cal over the next two months.”
Californians have 60 days from the date that the state of emergency was declared in their county to sign up for coverage, so this special-enrollment period will last until March 8.
Other resources made available to Californians affected by the fires can be found here:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today [January 10th] that additional resources and flexibilities are available in response to the 2025 Southern California Wildfires. CMS is working closely with the State of California and federal partners to put these flexibilities in place to ensure those affected by this natural disaster have access to the care they need – when they need it most.
On Jan. 8, 2025, President Biden determined that an emergency exists in California due to the emergency conditions resulting from the 2025 Southern California Wildfires beginning Jan. 7, 2025, and continuing. Additionally, on Jan. 10, 2025, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra determined that a Public Health Emergency (PHE) exists in California and has existed since Jan. 7, 2025.
Covered California Hits Record Enrollment Before its First Key Open Enrollment Deadline on Dec. 31
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California has surpassed 1.8 million enrollees, reaching its record-high enrollment with over a week until the first open enrollment deadline on Dec. 31.
This open enrollment, 143,686 Californians have signed up for 2025 coverage as of Dec. 14, marking a 3 percent increase over the same period last year.
Another 1,647,162 Californians have renewed their coverage so far, a 4 percent increase over the same period last year.
Combined, that's 1,790,848 Californians who have selected ACA exchange coverage for 2025. Taking the percents above literally that would mean CA had ~1,723,311 QHP selections thru 12/14/23 last year (up 3.9% overall).
Covered California Continues “Let’s Talk Health” Campaign With Record Financial Support Available As Its 12th Open Enrollment Continues
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Covered California continued its “Let’s Talk Health” campaign at the Beale Memorial Library today with the 2025 open-enrollment period underway.
Regardless of the results of the 2024 election, open enrollment is ongoing and coverage through Affordable Care Act marketplaces throughout the nation, including Covered California, is unaffected for 2025.
“Our doors are open, and now is the time for Californians to sign up for health insurance,” Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman said. “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land, and the election results do not affect the financial assistance available to enrollees through federal and enhanced state subsidies next year. The most financial assistance ever offered to Californians to help pay for health care coverage remains available for 2025.”
Covered California announced the first-year results of its first-in-the nation health plan accountability program, the Quality Transformation Initiative(QTI), today at its board meeting.
The QTI — aimed at improving health care outcomes and reducing disparities for members — was created with input from consumer advocates, health care providers and health insurance companies. It was developed in collaboration with the Department of Health Care Services and CalPERS.
The QTI establishes direct and substantial financial incentives (up to 1 percent of premium in the first year, rising to 4 percent of premium in future years) for all Covered California health insurance companies by requiring payments for failing to meet specified benchmarks for a focused, meaningful set of health-outcome measures. These equity-centered outcome measures include blood pressure and diabetes control, colorectal cancer screening and childhood immunizations.
