SACRAMENTO – Open enrollment for Covered California starts Friday, with DACA recipients now open to shopping for new plans.
Covered California is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which promises low or free insurance to millions of people across the country.
Open enrollment is a time when Californians can sign up for, renew, or purchase a new health insurance plan. Since its inception in 2014, around 6 million people have used it and the aim is to reach more.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra congratulated California state leaders this week.
“We benefit and we build and in California you break records,” Becerra said.
Against the backdrop of the California State Library touting the importance of health literacy, the state says more people have signed up for Covered California than ever before.
Since its implementation, uninsured rates have fallen from 17.5 percent to 6.4 percent. This is the largest drop in uninsured rates nationwide.
“Our cost-sharing reduction program in California made its debut for 2024 coverage, eliminating the deductible and lowering what our lowest-income enrollees pay for medications, doctor visits and other out-of-pocket costs,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California.
This year, for the first time, DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, can shop for a new plan that will reach an additional 40,000 people.
There is a legal challenge to that expansion, but for now the state will continue accepting applicants.
“If you’re from California, you just keep pushing,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui.
Matsui, who is running for the 7th District, helped draft the original legislation that paved the way.
“I believe the country should say ‘Thank you,’ but sometimes they say, ‘Why are you moving so fast?’ But you know why, it’s important,” Matsui said.
“There are more Americans with access to health care today,” Becerra said.
According to Becerra, there are 46 million Americans who rely on coverage through the Affordable Care Act.
Nearly a quarter of them have a monthly premium of zero dollars.
Open enrollment ends on January 31, 2025.
Rachel Wulff
