Medical Insurance
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Biden to reopen online health insurance marketplaces

Melody G. Gillette

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on tackling climate change prior to signing executive orders in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will reopen the nation’s online health insurance marketplace for people who cannot obtain coverage through their employers, the White House said on Thursday.

Biden, who took office last week, will restore access to healthcare.gov with an executive order on Thursday afternoon, the latest in a blizzard of moves by the Democratic president to quickly reverse the policies of his Republican predecessor Donald Trump.

The order will allow people to sign up for insurance through the government exchange from Feb. 15 to May 15, the White House said in a policy fact sheet. The program is normally accessible for just six weeks a year.

The action was expected. Biden has vowed to

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Medical Insurance
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Biden reopens online health insurance marketplaces, citing ‘damage’ from Trump

Melody G. Gillette

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday reopened the nation’s online health insurance marketplace for people who cannot obtain coverage through their employers, in a move he said was aimed at undoing “damage” done by his predecessor Donald Trump.

In an executive order, Biden restored access to healthcare.gov, allowing Americans to sign up for insurance through the government exchange from Feb. 15 to May 15, the White House said. The program is normally accessible for just six weeks in the fall.

Biden, who took office last week, also directed federal agencies to “re-examine” Trump-era policies like work requirements that made it more difficult for people to qualify for Medicaid, the government-run health insurance program for the poor.

The actions were the latest in a blizzard of moves by the new Democratic president to reverse the policies of the Republican Trump.

“Today I’m about to sign two executive orders

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Medical Insurance
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With New Executive Order, President Biden Gives Uninsured Americans More Health Insurance Options

Melody G. Gillette

President Biden is making it easier for millions of uninsured Americans to sign up for health insurance. Through an executive order signed today, the federal health insurance Marketplace, Healthcare.gov, will reopen for a special enrollment period from February 15 through May 15, 2021. 

Thirty-six states use the federal Marketplace to offer health insurance. Enrollment is typically available during open enrollment or within 60 days of a qualifying life event such as losing a job. The six-week open enrollment period for 2021 coverage ended December 15, 2020. The new executive order will allow uninsured Americans to enroll even if they are outside of the 60-day window after losing their job

David Cutler, professor of economics at Harvard University, thinks the executive order is a great idea. 

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