GUEST COMMENTARY MMENTARY
It’s time for Texans to take another look at the ACA Marketplace, available at HealthCare.gov. In the past, affordable plans may have seemed out of reach for many, but today, there is an abundance of affordable options — even free ones for millions of Texans.
Last year, more than 20 million Americans, including a record-breaking 3.5 million Texans, secured coverage through the ACA Marketplace. If you haven’t explored your options, now is the time to see what’s available.
With open enrollment underway through Jan. 15, the ACA Marketplace offers an incredible opportunity for Texans who lack health insurance. While Texas still has the highest uninsured rate in the nation — 16.4% of the population, or nearly 5 million people — many may not realize just how affordable coverage in Texas has become.
In 2022, Texas 2036’s research concluded that nearly 2 million uninsured Texans could qualify for free plans through the ACA Marketplace or programs like Medicaid or CHIP. That’s 40% of our uninsured population who could get coverage at no cost to them. And for others, affordable premiums are within reach.
A recent search of premiums in Texas showed, for example, that a 40-year-old single person earning $37,650 annually (250% of the federal poverty level) can find surprisingly affordable plans. In counties like Harris, Bexar and El Paso, bronze plans are available as low as $0, while gold plans start at under $65 a month.
Texas also stands out for its unique approach to the ACA Marketplace, which makes it different from other states. Thanks to smart policymaking, including a bipartisan law passed in 2021, federal subsidies stretch further in Texas than in most other states.
The real challenge, however, is awareness.
Too many Texans assume they earn too much to qualify or believe coverage is still unaffordable based on outdated premium prices. Or they simply think the only way to attain coverage is through the government or an employer.
That simply isn’t the case in 2024. Premiums are dramatically less expensive for most Texans now than they were even a few years ago.
Last year’s record enrollment proves that millions of Texans are starting to catch on, but we need to do more to spread the word. Affordable coverage provides peace of mind and financial security, protecting families from crushing medical debt.
If you’re uninsured, or even if you’re just curious, it’s worth taking a moment to explore your options. Visit HealthCare.gov to learn more and enroll before the Jan. 15 deadline. You might be surprised by what you find.
Let’s make 2025 the year we turn the page on Texas’ uninsured story and ensure more Texans get the affordable health care they need.
Charles Miller is the Director of Health and Economic Mobility Policy at Texas 2036.
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