Should the Obamacare Open Enrollment Period Coincide With Federal Tax Season? (H.R. 5625)

What is H.R. 5625?

(Updated July 9, 2018)

This bill ― the Easy Enrollment Act of 2018 ― would aim to improve the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) by aligning its open enrollment period with federal tax season. Under current law the open enrollment period is at the end of the year.

Argument in favor

Moving the Obamacare open enrollment period to tax season will encourage more Americans to enroll in health insurance plans through the exchanges than the current holiday season enrollment period, thus helping more Americans get covered.

Argument opposed

Moving the open enrollment period to tax season isn’t going to make Americans more inclined to buy health insurance through Obamacare ― the time of the year doesn’t impact those decisions for many.

Impact

People in need of health insurance; health insurance exchanges; healthcare providers.

Cost of H.R. 5625

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced this bill to move the Obamacare open enrollment period from the holiday season to tax season in April:

“As a doctor, I know that health care is extremely personal. Too many hardworking families have been left out or left behind by premiums and deductibles they can’t afford. Americans deserve a plan that protects their current health care coverage, expands enrollment, and reduces costs for everyone.”

This legislation has the support of seven cosponsors, all of whom are Democrats. The bill, along with the Pathway to Universal Enrollment Act, have been touted by Democrats as proposals that would build on the successes of Obamacare.

Of Note: Current open enrollment periods coincide with the Holiday Season, which is the most economically stressful season for most Americans, which does not encourage enrollment in such services as health care. This effort would align open enrollment periods with tax return season to encourage enrollment when funds are flush. About 28.5 million Americans remain uninsured.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) Press Release