Obamacare 2.0 kicked off Saturday morning with little fanfare and no major glitches. Good enough for government work.
According to CNN Money, the new enrollment period, which runs through February 15, is predicted to sign up far fewer customers than originally projected — 9.9 million rather than 13 million, the Congressional Budget Office said.
About 23,000 people submitted applications in the first eight hours, and 1.2 million people window shopped for plans in the week leading up to the enrollment period.
The day before the grand re-opening, the Obama administration released data showing that many who signed up for plans last year could see substantial increases in the cost of their plans if they don't switch.
"Consumers should shop around," Marilyn B. Tavenner, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
told The New York Times. "With new options available this year, they’re likely to find a better deal."
While government bureaucrats spun the price increases and the nearly forced switching of plans as a positive, Republicans said it was more evidence that Obamacare is failing.
"Last year, many who liked their plan were surprised to learn they couldn’t keep it," said Senator Orrin G. Hatch of Utah. "This year, many who like their plan will likely have to pay more to keep it."
Overall, the Affordable Care Act continues to have a low approval rating, with only 37 percent of citizens supporting it, according to the latest Gallup poll.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.