Taking Obamacare’s Vital Signs

Is the Affordable Care Act critically ill, or just a little bit under the weather?

Published: October 25, 2017

Updated: Oct 24, 2017

President Trump recently pronounced Obamacare “dead.” It’s not. Republicans in Congress didn’t have the votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The law has survived seven years of legal challenges, political opposition, wobbly insurance markets, and, now, a White House that’s openly hostile to the policy it inherited. As the ACA’s insurance marketplaces open for a fifth year on Nov. 1, some parts of the law are in better shape than others. Here’s a look at some indicators of Obamacare’s health.

  • Healthy
  • Under Observation
  • Ill
  • Critical

Individual market reforms

Asset 1

Still in place.

Employer market reforms

Asset 1

Still in place.

Uninsured rate

Asset 2

The uninsured rate reached a record low as about 20 million Americans gained coverage under Obamacare, before ticking up slightly this year. Roughly 28 million people in the U.S. are still uninsured.

Open Enrollment

Asset 2

The Trump administration has cut spending on sign-up helpers and advertising, and fostered consumer confusion.

Individual/Employer Mandate

Asset 2

The requirements that all people have health insurance and that companies offer it are still in effect, though the administration has created some confusion about how strictly it'll enforce it

Medicaid

Asset 2

The ACA’s expansion of Medicaid has brought coverage to about 15 million people, but 19 states have decided not to take part.

Premiums / Affordability

Asset 3

Premiums in the individual market are jumping, but subsidies keep insurance affordable for lower income people. Others may struggle to afford their coverage.

Insurer Participation

Asset 3

Insurers have been dropping out of the ACA’s markets, though half of enrollees will still have at least 3 to choose from for 2018.