"Obamacare"

House Republicans passed a package of health insurance bills in June, but the reforms are not likely to become law while the Senate is controlled by Democrats.

Health & Safety

House Republicans' CHOICE Act would roll back some Obamacare protections

5:00am July 24, 2023

by Julie Appleby

The set of health policy ideas have been GOP favorites for decades. It could mean cheaper health insurance but would undermine protections for patients in the Affordable Care Act.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray discusses efforts to protect reproductive rights during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in August 2022. Murray has re-introduced legislation that would require health insurers to cover over-the-counter birth control if the FDA approves it.

With growing abortion restrictions, Democrats push for over-the-counter birth control

8:18am May 22, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

With abortion increasingly restricted in many states, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), hopes to persuade Republicans to back insurance coverage for over-the-counter birth control.

An illustration of cookie jars labeled "HMO" and "PPO."

Health & Safety

More people than ever buy insurance on Healthcare.gov

12:49pm January 13, 2023

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

It's the last weekend for Obamacare open enrollment, and nearly 16 million Americans have signed up for a health insurance plan.

Queue Listen Now

Illustration of a group of people putting together a large scale puzzle on the floor. The image on the puzzle is the health care cross. Medications surround the people putting the puzzle together.

Health & Safety

Shopping for ACA health insurance? Here's what's new this year

3:33pm October 31, 2022

by Julie Appleby

There's finally been a fix to the "family glitch" that made marketplace health plans sometimes unaffordable. And although premiums are rising, subsidies are too, and more people are eligible.

A long document labeled "health insurance" turns into waves as the document stretches across the screen. Two people in a small boat ride the "waves" of the document, fishing for the jargon like "deductible" and "copayment."

6 tips to help you pick the right health insurance plan

12:19pm November 01, 2021

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

The open enrollment period to buy health insurance on HealthCare.gov starts now and runs through Jan. 15, 2022. Look for more options and expanded subsidies this year — and more help signing up.

Demonstrators pray in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on July 8, a day the court ruled that employers with religious objections can decline to provide contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act. With the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the ACA's f

The Future Of The Affordable Care Act In A Supreme Court Without Ginsburg

11:11am September 21, 2020

by Julie Rovner

The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg comes just as the Supreme Court was about to hear a case challenging the ACA. It could end Medicaid expansion and protections for preexisting conditions.

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President Trump says Republicans will pass "a great health care package" after the 2020 election.

Trump Backs Off Obamacare Replacement After Top GOP Leader Nixes The Idea

5:27pm April 02, 2019

by Brian Naylor

The president still promises "a great health care package" — but not until after the next election. His comments come after a phone call with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Justice Department sent a letter in support of repealing the entirety of the Affordable Care Act. Here, a sign in support of the ACA in April 2017 in New York City.

Trump Administration Says Entire Affordable Care Act Should Be Repealed

4:24pm March 26, 2019

by Laurel Wamsley

A letter from the Department of Justice announced the shift, in support of a district court judge's ruling that the law is unconstitutional. The case is likely to end up in the Supreme Court.

In 2015, demonstrators in Washington, D.C., urged Supreme Court justices to save the Affordable Care Act from a legal challenge. The federal health law survived, but last week U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled it invalid. An appeal of his controvers

Judge Who Invalidated Obamacare Has Been A 'Go-To Judge' For Republicans, Critics Say

8:11am December 20, 2018

by Ashley Lopez

Court watchers weren't shocked when Reed O'Connor, a U.S. district judge in Texas, ruled the Affordable Care Act invalid. Critics say he usually sides with Republicans on ideological cases.

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Affordable Care Act navigator Nini Hadwen (right) helped Jorge Hernandez (left) and Marta Aguirre find a plan on the health insurance exchange in Miami in 2013. Today, with fewer navigators, much of that counseling is done by phone instead of in person.

Obamacare Sign-Ups Lag As Trump Slashes Funds For Enrollment Help

7:23pm November 28, 2018

by Phil Galewitz

The Trump administration is spending $10 million this year on health care navigators — down from $63 million in 2016. Nationwide, workers are scrambling to apprise people of insurance options.