Overview

• The Trump administration has proposed shortening the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period by one month, ending on December 15 instead of January 15.
• New rules would require stricter eligibility verification for subsidies and special enrollment periods, aiming to address improper enrollments estimated to cost $20 billion annually.
• The proposal seeks to eliminate year-round enrollment opportunities for low-income individuals and impose a $5 monthly premium for automatic re-enrollments with fully-subsidized plans.
• Gender-affirming care would no longer be classified as an essential health benefit starting in 2026, though states and insurers could still choose to cover it.
• The administration plans to end ACA coverage eligibility for DACA recipients, potentially affecting 147,000 individuals, while the rule undergoes public comment and potential revisions.