Texans’ enrollment in health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has surged to a historic high, marking a significant milestone. According to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the total enrollment in Texas reached a record-breaking 3.3 million individuals in February of this year, coinciding with the program’s upcoming 14th anniversary.
Brooks-LaSure highlighted the remarkable growth, noting that in 2023, Texas had 2.4 million enrollees, compared to 1.8 million in 2022. This notable increase in ACA enrollment in Texas far surpassed the nationwide trend. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra revealed that approximately 21.4 million people across the country enrolled for coverage under the ACA during the 2024 open enrollment period.
Becerra emphasized the substantial growth, citing an almost 80% increase from the end of the previous administration’s term. Among the enrollees, five million were new to the marketplace, while 16 million renewed their coverage.
However, amidst these positive developments, there are renewed efforts by Republicans to dismantle the ACA. Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has reiterated his intention to repeal the program if he wins against President Joe Biden in the upcoming election. Trump previously attempted but failed to repeal the ACA during his prior term.
Additionally, the House Republican Study Committee, including most of the Texas Republican House delegation, has proposed a budget for the next fiscal year that aims to fully defund the ACA. Houston-area GOP Congressmen Brian Babin, Dan Crenshaw, Morgan Luttrell, Michael McCaul and Troy Nehls are among the proponents of this budget.
The budget proposal criticizes the ACA, claiming it has not delivered on its promises regarding plan retention, affordability, quality of care or availability of doctors. It advocates for the full repeal of the ACA’s tax increases, labeling them as detrimental to the healthcare system.
