Trump administration plans to restrict Obamacare enrollment period

By Amina Niasse

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The Trump administration aims to close the enrollment period for Obamacare health insurance plans on December 15, one month earlier than the current deadline, the agency that oversees the program said in a press release.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the move aimed to address “improper enrollments”, which it said had increased taxpayer spending on the program. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment and details on the alleged discrepancies.

It will also tighten the eligibility for the special sign-up period outside the enrollment dates of November 1 through December 15 and require additional income verification, without providing details.

The health plans, which are subsidized based on income, were introduced under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, the signature legislation of former U.S. President Barack Obama. Since inception, 49.4 million Americans have signed up for the health plans, including a record 20.8 million people enrolled in 2024.

The Medicare agency said it would also ensure consumers are not being enrolled in the plans without their consent.

Gender-affirming care would be deemed non-essential for insurers enrolling members through the Obamacare marketplace, CMS’s release said.

Undocumented individuals receiving health insurance coverage through DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals would also be restricted from enrolling.

(Reporting by Amina Niasse; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)