Donald Trump’s election and incoming House and Senate Republican majorities have millions of people who buy their health insurance on the individual market — as well as many uninsured people poised to buy a plan there — concerned about what may happen to that coverage. But the marketplace plans and the subsidies to help modest-income people afford them are still available and will likely remain so for some time.
Open enrollment — the annual period when people can newly enroll in a plan or change plans for 2017 — extends through January 31. People who want their coverage to start January 1 must sign up by December 15.
Some good news came last Wednesday, when more than 100,000 people signed up for plans through the federally run marketplace — the largest influx of enrollees in a single day since enrollment started on November 1.
Other people may be unsure of what to do amid news of Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the law that made the individual market more accessible for people with health conditions and provided subsidies to offset premiums and other cost-sharing charges to people who lack access to other coverage. It would be a mistake to miss the open enrollment deadline and lose the chance to get coverage. People should enroll now, so they can make sure they can obtain preventive benefits at no cost, get coverage of checkups and prescriptions, and protect themselves financially in case they face significant health care needs during the year. Those currently covered by a marketplace plan should visit healthcare.gov (or the marketplace in their state) during open enrollment to consider whether to keep the same plan or switch to one that may better meet their needs.
Whatever may happen to health reform will take time. Leaders of the effort to repeal the law have already said there should be a transition period to avoid disruption; an earlier repeal bill that President Obama vetoed would have kept subsidies for marketplace plans in place for two years. Many Republicans say they want to pass alternative health care proposals, and that could take them some time to figure out.
For consumers, coverage is available, but the open enrollment clock is ticking. People shouldn’t miss out on important benefits because they are confused or afraid.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you have the means to make a substantial gift, please dig deep during this critical time!
With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy