Biden announces 1 million have enrolled in special ObamaCare sign-up period

One million people have enrolled so far in Affordable Care Act coverage during a special pandemic sign-up period, President Biden announced Tuesday.

Biden reopened ObamaCare enrollment upon entering office in January, a step that the Trump administration had declined to take after the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Sign-ups are ongoing until Aug. 15, and Biden urged more people to go to healthcare.gov to enroll.

“That’s one million more Americans who now have the peace of mind that comes from having health insurance,” he said in a statement in making the announcement. “One million more Americans who don’t have to lie awake at night worrying about what happens if they or one of their family members gets sick. Through this opportunity for special enrollment, we have made enormous progress in expanding access to health insurance.”

The $1.9 trillion COVID-19-related relief bill that Biden signed in March also included additional financial assistance for Affordable Care Act enrollees to help them pay for their premiums.