The number of Americans enrolled in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplaces has roughly doubled since President Biden took office, but White House officials warned Wednesday that the surge in Americans taking advantage of increased government health care subsidies could face risks as President-elect Donald J. Trump returns to office.
Nearly 24 million Americans, a record, have already signed up for plans under the program, popularly known as Obamacare, during the current enrollment period, according to the White House.
Those gains have been driven in part by major federal subsidies that helped shave the cost of premiums across income groups. Those subsidies, approved by Mr. Biden and Democratic lawmakers, are set to expire this year.
In a statement, Mr. Biden called on Congress to “double down on the progress we have made” by extending them.
As Republicans assume control of the Senate and the House, it is unclear whether those subsidies, which come in the form of tax credits, will be renewed without significant compromise.
Some key congressional Republicans have cast doubt on an extension. Mr. Trump has not outlined a health care strategy for his second term, and has spoken vaguely about the Affordable Care Act when asked if he would again seek to overturn the law, as he did in when he first became president in 2017.
