In a recent video, President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Barack Obama, have pledged their commitment to safeguarding and expanding the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. This comes amidst renewed threats from former President Donald Trump to repeal the healthcare law if he secures a second term.
White House to Promote Obamacare Enrollment with New Video
The White House is set to release this video on social media platforms later this Friday. This is part of their strategy to encourage open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act exchanges, according to a White House official. The video begins with President Biden reading a text message that questions the relevance of Obamacare, to which both leaders affirm its continued existence and importance.
Obamacare: More Than Just a Thing
Obama responds to the query by stating, “Yes, Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, Bidencare, whatever you call it – yes, it is still a thing.” He further emphasizes the continuous efforts by the opposition to repeal the Act since its inception, and the administration’s determination to not only protect it but also expand it. Biden adds that this expansion is saving millions of dollars for working families and covering more people than ever before.
Obamacare Enrollment Deadline Approaches
The release of this video coincides with the deadline for Obamacare plan enrollment to receive coverage at the start of the year. This year’s open enrollment period, which began on November 1, runs through January 15 on the federal exchange, Healthcare.gov. The first five weeks have seen nearly 7.3 million people sign up for 2024 coverage, a 34% increase from the same period last year.
Healthcare Debate Takes Center Stage Ahead of 2024 Election
The collaboration between Biden and Obama comes as the White House and Biden campaign aim to bring the healthcare debate to the forefront ahead of the 2024 election. The video does not mention Trump by name, but it is a clear response to his recent resurrection of the idea of repealing and replacing Obamacare.
Biden Leverages Obama’s Appeal in Healthcare Push
Biden has frequently relied on his former boss and partner to help push his healthcare agenda. Obama’s first public appearance at the White House since his presidency was to join Biden in promoting the strengthening of Obamacare by closing a loophole that prevented millions of families from receiving subsidies. The former president has also recorded videos celebrating record enrollment and the anniversary of his signature healthcare law.
Reducing Healthcare Costs: A Key Feature of Biden’s 2024 Platform
Biden’s 2024 platform is expected to heavily feature the reduction of healthcare costs, including prescription drugs, and the expansion of coverage. Biden often highlights the Inflation Reduction Act, passed by him and congressional Democrats, which allows Medicare to negotiate some drug prices for the first time and reduces the cost of insulin for Medicare enrollees.
Biden Administration’s Steps to Lower Healthcare Costs
Last week, the Biden administration took several incremental steps aimed at lowering healthcare costs by promoting competition. However, a recent KFF poll showed that few Americans are aware of these provisions, highlighting one of the challenges facing the president as he tries to convince Americans that his policies are beneficial.