According to official reports, a historic surge in health insurance enrollment has occured  in California and nationwide under the Affordable Care Act.

As of January 31, 1,784,653 Californians selected an ACA health plan through Covered California for 2024. This figure includes 306,382 new enrollees and 1,478,271 individuals renewing their coverage. The surge in enrollment is attributed to the augmented federal subsidies provided through the Inflation Reduction Act, along with the implementation of a new cost-sharing program specific to California.

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman acknowledged the positive impact of increased financial support, stating, “The high demand for Covered California shows that the increased financial help for 2024 is making health care coverage more attainable and affordable for more Californians.”

California's new enrollees contribute to a nationwide record, with 21.3 million Americans enrolling in coverage for 2024, a 31% increase over the previous year. This is the highest enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since its inception.

The ACA, commonly known as "Obamacare," was signed into law in 2010 by former U.S. President Obama, representing a significant domestic policy initiative. The legislation aims to assist low and middle-income Americans without access to affordable health insurance through their employers.

Highlighting the ACA's importance, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra remarked, “For decades, when it came to federal programs we could depend on to keep Americans covered, three were always top of mind — Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, but now it’s crystal clear that we need to add a fourth — the Affordable Care Act.”

The open enrollment period for Covered California closed at midnight on February 9th.