As of February 6,
7.75 million people have either selected a new plan or been reenrolled in an existing one under Obamacare on the federal exchange, says the Department of Health and Human Services. If you're keeping score, that makes Charles Gaba
spot on in his prediction. As he points out, there are still 2.9 million people who have submitted their applications on Healthcare.gov, but who haven't finalized their selection. By his conservative estimate, there should be 9.4 million people enrolled by the end of the week, the final deadline. That's just 57 percent of the people who are sitting on their applications, and doesn't include the last-minute surge expected.
Note that these are applications and enrollments in the states using Healthcare.gov, the federal exchange. These are also the enrollments threatened by a potential Supreme Court decision to outlaw subsidies in these states. In view of that, HHS issued a report this week about the subsidies, who they were reaching, and how much they are helping. As of now, 6.5 million people qualify for an average tax credit of $268 per month.
The vast majority of individuals, 87 percent, who signed up through Healthcare.gov qualify for financial assistance, the report states. Eight in 10 could choose a plan with a premium of $100 or less after tax credits, based on available options, according to report released Feb. 9.
"Consumers who sign up in states using HealthCare.gov are saving $268 a month on their premiums on average, and nearly 8 in 10 could select a plan with a premium of $100 or less with tax credits," said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell in a statement. "This is further proof that the Affordable Care Act is working for the middle class."
That's a 72 percent cost saving on average in monthly premiums, and that's what's at stake in the
King v. Burwell case. But it's not just those people who have insurance through the federal exchange, because many of the companies providing these plans are national, and if they start losing customers and money in these 34 states, the ripple effect will make premiums skyrocket everywhere. All of the
impressive gains made in decreasing the uninsured percentage, in keeping premiums manageable, in keeping Medicare solvent AND keeping Medicare spending down—all that is in jeopardy because four Supreme Court justices hate Obamacare.