As of 2024, President Joe Biden’s healthcare plan continues to focus on expanding access and affordability of healthcare for Americans, building on the foundations of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). One of the key aspects of Biden’s healthcare approach is the introduction of a Medicare-like public option. This public option is designed to provide an affordable, government-run insurance alternative for individuals and families, particularly aimed at covering those who currently fall through the cracks of private insurance and Medicaid.

In addition to the public option, Biden’s plan emphasizes strengthening the ACA. Significant strides have been made in increasing marketplace subsidies, making health insurance more affordable for a broader range of Americans. These enhanced subsidies have been instrumental in reducing premiums and out-of-pocket costs for millions of enrollees. But what other changes is he planning on making? Take a look at a few key points below.

Key Components of Biden’s healthcare plan

President Joe Biden’s healthcare plan focuses on several key components aimed at expanding and improving healthcare coverage in the United States. It’s important to check for the most recent updates, as healthcare policies can evolve. The main elements of his plan include:

1. Public Option: A central goal is the establishment of a public health insurance option, similar to Medicare, to provide more Americans with access to affordable health insurance. This option is particularly geared towards those who are currently uninsured or underinsured.
2. Strengthening the ACA: Biden’s plan emphasizes reinforcing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanding subsidies to make health insurance through the ACA marketplace more affordable, and increasing coverage options.
3. Reducing Prescription Drug Costs: A key initiative involves tackling high prescription drug prices. This includes proposals allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and limiting price increases for all brand, biotech, and abusively priced generic drugs.
4. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Addressing mental health is a crucial aspect, with plans to expand coverage for mental health services, including support for substance use disorders, and integrating mental health care with primary care.
5. Expanding Coverage: The plan aims to insure more than 97% of Americans, focusing on providing coverage for those currently without insurance.
6. Healthcare Workforce and Infrastructure: Efforts to bolster the healthcare workforce and infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, are part of the plan, ensuring better access to quality healthcare services.
7. COVID-19 Response: Ongoing management of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic remains a priority, with continued focus on vaccine distribution and addressing the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Creating a public option

One of the major pillars of the Joe Biden healthcare plan is to create a public option. The public option is a government-run health insurance plan that would be offered as an alternative to private insurance plans within the health insurance marketplace.  Health insurance companies often charge high premiums, and it is important for people to have other options that are more affordable. By creating a public option, people can compare the cost of the public health insurance plan with the cost of a private one. That way, health insurance becomes more affordable, and more people can have access to healthcare.

Strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Joe Biden also wants to improve , also called the Affordable Care Act. Even though it is true that the number of uninsured individuals has shrunk since the Affordable Care Act was passed, the most recent presidential administration weakened the ACA. Now, Biden wants to improve the quality of insurance exchanges, making it easier for people to find the right plan. Joe Biden also wants to increase subsidies for health insurance to make it easier for people to afford care. Here’s an overview, including the expansion of Medicaid and marketplace enhancements:

1. Improving Insurance Exchanges: Biden aims to improve the quality and user-friendliness of insurance exchanges under the ACA. This involves making it easier for individuals to navigate the marketplace and find plans that best suit their healthcare needs.
2. Increasing Subsidies: A key component of Biden’s plan is to increase subsidies for health insurance premiums. This move is intended to make healthcare more affordable, particularly for middle-class families who may have previously found ACA plans too costly.
3. Expanding Medicaid: Biden proposes expanding Medicaid in states that have not yet taken advantage of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. This expansion would increase access to healthcare for low-income individuals who may not qualify for Medicaid under current rules.
4. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs: Part of strengthening the ACA involves initiatives to lower prescription drug costs, which includes allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and limiting price hikes.
5. Marketplace Enhancements: Enhancing the ACA marketplace also includes offering a wider range of insurance options, with a focus on increasing the quality of coverage while maintaining or reducing premiums.
6. Public Option Integration: In line with these enhancements, Biden’s public option would be integrated into the ACA marketplace, offering an affordable government-run alternative to private insurance plans.
7. Addressing Previous Administration’s Changes: Biden’s plan seeks to reverse the effects of the previous administration’s weakening of the ACA, restoring and building upon the original intent of the Act to provide comprehensive and affordable healthcare coverage.

Lowering prescription drug costs

There has also been a major push to reform pharmaceutical pricing during the past few years. Prescription drug costs have soared to record highs recently, and it is very difficult for people to afford the cost of the medication they need. Some people find themselves choosing between rent, food, and their medications. Now, Joe Biden is passing legislation that will allow Medicare to negotiate with prescription drug companies. This could make it easier for people on Medicare to bring down the cost of prescription medications, but there are also pushes to make prescription drugs more affordable for everyone. With countless people across the country depending on prescription drugs to survive, this would benefit everyone.

Expanding coverage and access

President Biden has laid out ambitious plans to expand healthcare coverage, particularly for low-income families and individuals. Central to his vision is the expansion of Medicaid, a government program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. However, it’s important to note that not all states have adopted the Medicaid expansion.

As of 2024, the states that have not yet adopted Medicaid expansion include:

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Kansas
5. Mississippi
6. North Carolina
7. South Carolina
8. South Dakota
9. Tennessee
10. Texas
11. Wisconsin
12. Wyoming

In these states, many low-income individuals and families may still lack access to affordable health insurance options. President Biden’s efforts aim to address these disparities by incentivizing states to expand Medicaid coverage, ensuring that more Americans have access to the healthcare they need.

Additionally, Biden’s healthcare agenda includes measures to enhance affordability and accessibility across the board, such as implementing subsidies to reduce premiums for Marketplace plans and lowering the eligibility age for Medicare. These initiatives collectively work towards his goal of expanding coverage and access to healthcare for all Americans, regardless of income or geographic location.

Addressing mental health and substance use disorders

President Joe Biden’s healthcare plan places a significant emphasis on addressing mental health and substance use disorders, recognizing these as critical aspects of overall healthcare. The plan outlines a comprehensive approach to expand mental health services and combat the opioid epidemic, reflecting a commitment to holistic health and well-being.

1. Expansion of Mental Health Services: Biden’s plan aims to substantially increase access to mental health care by integrating mental health services into primary care settings. This integration ensures that mental health is treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health. Additionally, the plan proposes to double the number of psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers in schools and communities, making mental health care more accessible, especially in underserved areas.
2. Combating the Opioid Epidemic: A key focus of Biden’s healthcare initiative is to address the opioid crisis. The plan includes measures to increase funding for substance use disorder treatment and research, expand access to effective treatment options, and support those in recovery. This involves ensuring access to medications for opioid use disorder treatment and improving training for healthcare professionals in prescribing these medications.
3. Increased Funding and Support: Biden’s plan calls for increased funding for mental health and substance use disorder services, including support for community mental health centers and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and children.
4. Promotion of Mental Health Parity: Ensuring parity in coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments is a cornerstone of Biden’s approach. The plan aims to enforce existing mental health parity laws and extend coverage for these services across all health insurance plans.
5. Public Health Approach to Substance Use: The plan adopts a public health approach to substance use disorders, focusing on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support. This includes efforts to reduce stigma and barriers to treatment.

Impact of Biden’s plan on access to healthcare

President Joe Biden’s healthcare initiatives have significant implications for increasing access to healthcare, addressing disparities, and improving affordability. Here’s an overview of how these plans impact and potentially continue to shape healthcare access:

1. Increasing Healthcare Coverage: Biden’s plan aims to insure a greater portion of Americans, primarily through the expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the introduction of a Medicare-like public option. This public option is designed to provide an affordable alternative to private insurance, especially for those who are currently uninsured or underinsured. By broadening Medicaid eligibility and enhancing the ACA, the plan seeks to cover those who have been left out of the healthcare system, significantly increasing overall healthcare coverage.
2. Addressing Disparities in Access to Care: A key focus of Biden’s healthcare policy is to reduce the disparities in healthcare access experienced by underserved communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, rural populations, and low-income families. The plan includes measures to increase funding for community health centers, expand healthcare workforce in underserved areas, and ensure equitable distribution of resources and services. This approach is geared towards creating a more inclusive healthcare system where quality care is accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.
3. Improving Affordability for Individuals and Families: One of the central elements of Biden’s healthcare strategy is making healthcare more affordable. This is being addressed through increased subsidies for health insurance premiums under the ACA, allowing more families and individuals to afford coverage. Additionally, efforts to lower prescription drug costs, such as allowing Medicare to negotiate prices, directly contribute to reducing overall healthcare expenses for consumers.
4. Impact of Enhanced Subsidies and Public Option: The enhanced subsidies under the ACA and the proposed public option are expected to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, making healthcare more affordable and accessible. These changes are especially beneficial for middle-class families who previously found health insurance costs prohibitive.
5. Long-Term Effects on Healthcare Access: While some of these initiatives have already started to take effect, others are part of a longer-term strategy to reform the healthcare system. The full impact of these plans on access to healthcare will continue to unfold, with the potential to bring about significant improvements in coverage, equity, and affordability in the coming years.

Frequently asked questions about Biden’s healthcare plan

What are the key features of Biden’s healthcare plan?

President Biden’s healthcare plan encompasses several key features aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare for all Americans. Here’s a breakdown of the main components:

1. Expansion of Medicaid: Biden aims to expand Medicaid coverage to more low-income individuals and families, ensuring that those who need it most have access to essential healthcare services.
2. Strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA): Biden plans to build on the foundation of the ACA by enhancing subsidies to make health insurance premiums more affordable for middle-class families. He also aims to lower the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 60, allowing more Americans to access this vital healthcare program.
3. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs: Biden intends to take action to lower the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. This measure could lead to significant savings for seniors and individuals with chronic conditions.
4. Expanding Mental Health and Addiction Services: Recognizing the importance of mental health and addiction treatment, Biden’s plan includes efforts to expand access to these services and improve coverage for mental health care.
5. Investing in Public Health: Biden is committed to investing in public health infrastructure and preparedness, including efforts to address health disparities and improve access to preventive care for underserved communities.

By focusing on these key features, Biden’s healthcare plan seeks to address the most pressing issues in the healthcare system and ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare when they need it most.

Does Biden plan to protect Obamacare?

In short, yes. He plans to strengthen Obamacare while Trump had previously focused on weakening the law. Biden plans to strengthen the ACA by lowering costs for those who buy plans on the exchanges.

Currently, the subsidies for the ACA are based on the cost of the middle-coverage “silver plan”, where consumers are responsible for 30% of healthcare costs for covered benefits. Biden proposes determining subsidies on “gold plans” where are the next tier up of coverage, where enrollees are responsible for paying 20% of the cost for covered care.

He also wants to increase subsidies by capping the amount people have to pay for their coverage at 8.5% of their income. Currently, this cap doesn’t apply to those making over 400% of the federal poverty line. He wants to make sure that this cap applies to everyone in the US. This means no American would have to pay more than 8.5% of their annual income on health insurance premiums.

Biden also backs the implementation of a Medicare-like public option for health insurance coverage.

Like Trump, Biden wants to step in and lower drug costs. While proposing many changes, the Trump administration was not able to put any large-scale policies into place. Biden says he will limit launch prices for drugs with no competition. He also says he will cap prescription drug price increases to inflation as a condition to participate in Medicare and his proposed public option for individual and family insurance.

How will Biden’s healthcare plan address healthcare disparities?

President Joe Biden’s healthcare plan addresses healthcare disparities through several key initiatives aimed at creating a more equitable and accessible system. Central to this approach is the expansion of Medicaid and the introduction of a public option, designed to extend affordable healthcare coverage to underserved populations, including those in non-Medicaid expansion states. The plan increases funding and support for community health centers, crucial in providing services to low-income and rural areas. It also emphasizes integrating healthcare with social services to address social determinants of health and proposes specific measures to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, such as diversifying the healthcare workforce and targeting prevalent health issues in minority communities. Additionally, it includes expanded access to mental health and substance use disorder care, recognizing the disproportionate impact on certain populations. Collectively, these measures represent a concerted effort to tackle the long-standing inequalities in the American healthcare system.

What are the long-term implications of Biden’s healthcare plan?

The long-term implications of President Joe Biden’s healthcare plan are significant and multifaceted, potentially shaping the future of healthcare in the United States in several key ways:

1. Wider Coverage and Reduced Uninsured Rates: By expanding Medicaid and introducing a public option, Biden’s plan aims to significantly increase the number of insured Americans. This expansion is expected to reduce the uninsured rates, leading to broader access to healthcare services and potentially improving overall public health.
2. Increased Healthcare Affordability: Enhanced subsidies under the ACA and efforts to reduce prescription drug costs are designed to make healthcare more affordable. In the long term, this could lead to a reduction in the financial burden of healthcare on individuals and families, particularly middle-class households.
3. Healthcare System Sustainability: By addressing cost issues, such as high drug prices, and expanding cost-effective coverage options like the public option, Biden’s plan could contribute to the financial sustainability of the healthcare system. This includes potentially stabilizing insurance markets and controlling the growth of healthcare spending.
4. Addressing Healthcare Disparities: Biden’s focus on reducing healthcare disparities and improving care in underserved communities is likely to have lasting effects on health equity. Long-term, this could lead to improved health outcomes in marginalized populations and a reduction in health inequalities.
5. Enhancing Public Health Infrastructure: The plan’s emphasis on strengthening public health infrastructure, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, could better prepare the country for future public health emergencies. This involves bolstering disease surveillance, vaccine distribution, and healthcare workforce development.
6. Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatments will likely have profound long-term effects on public health. This includes addressing the opioid epidemic and improving mental health outcomes across the population.
7. Innovation and Healthcare Delivery: Biden’s healthcare initiatives may encourage innovation in healthcare delivery, such as the expansion of telehealth services, which became increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. This could lead to more flexible, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare delivery models.

Will Biden continue to make policy adjustments and reforms?

Policies and priorities often evolve in response to changing circumstances, public feedback, and emerging challenges. President Biden, like his predecessors, is likely to continue refining and adapting his agenda as needed.

In the near future, several key policy areas may see further developments:

1. Economic Recovery: President Biden’s economic agenda includes measures to stimulate job growth, infrastructure investment, and support for workers. Potential adjustments might involve legislative efforts to secure infrastructure funding, expand workforce development programs, and address economic disparities.
2. Healthcare: Healthcare reform remains a priority for the Biden administration. Possible future actions could involve efforts to lower prescription drug prices, expand access to affordable healthcare, and enhance the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
3. Climate Change: Climate change mitigation is a central concern. Additional policies may emerge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy initiatives, and address environmental sustainability.
4. Foreign Relations: Ongoing diplomatic efforts and foreign policy adjustments are expected as the administration navigates international challenges, such as global health crises, trade negotiations, and regional conflicts.
5. COVID-19 Response: The pandemic response continues to evolve. Future adjustments may involve vaccination campaigns, preparedness for new variants, and strategies to bolster healthcare systems.
6. Social Equity: Addressing issues of racial and social equity remains a top priority. Policy refinements may include criminal justice reform, voting rights legislation, and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.

How will Biden’s plan lower prescription drug costs?

President Biden has outlined a comprehensive strategy to tackle the soaring costs of prescription drugs, aiming to make medications more affordable for all Americans. Here’s how his plan intends to achieve this:

1. Medicare Price Negotiation: One of the key pillars of Biden’s plan is to empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. By leveraging the purchasing power of Medicare, the largest buyer of prescription drugs in the country, Biden aims to secure lower prices for medications, saving billions of dollars for seniors and taxpayers alike.
2. International Price Indexing: Biden proposes to establish an international price index for prescription drugs, which would benchmark the prices of medications in the United States against those in other developed countries. This approach aims to prevent pharmaceutical companies from charging significantly higher prices for drugs in the U.S. compared to elsewhere, ensuring that Americans are not overpaying for essential medications.
3. Allowing Importation of Prescription Drugs: Another component of Biden’s plan is to allow the importation of prescription drugs from other countries, where prices are often substantially lower. By facilitating the importation of safe and affordable medications, Biden seeks to provide Americans with more options for accessing the treatments they need at a fraction of the cost.
4. Increasing Competition: Biden advocates for increasing competition in the pharmaceutical industry by supporting the development and approval of generic and biosimilar drugs. By promoting competition, Biden aims to drive down prices for brand-name medications, making them more affordable for consumers.
5. Ending Taxpayer-Funded Drug Research: Biden proposes to end the practice of allowing pharmaceutical companies to use taxpayer-funded research to develop drugs and then charge exorbitant prices for those medications. Instead, Biden advocates for ensuring that taxpayer-funded research results in affordable treatments for patients.

Find a health insurance plan that meets your needs

What is Biden’s plan for healthcare? Above are just a few of the most important pillars that he seeks to accomplish. Right now, everyone needs to find health insurance they can afford. If you are uninsured or looking to switch your coverage, eHealth is here to help you find a plan that meets your needs. Our team of licensed agents can help answer any questions you have and find a health insurance plan that’s right for you. To compare all ACA plans available to you and see if you qualify for an ACA subsidy, compare individual and family health insurance plans today!