New data reveals Trump Country flocks to the health care marketplace

Concept of national healthcare system - Florida

In the same way Floridians flocked to the polls for Donald Trump, they have flocked to the health care marketplace, seeking affordable health care coverage for themselves and their families.

In fact, new data reveals that Florida participation in the health care marketplace has multiplied by 2.5 in just five years.

In 2020, there were 1.9 million Floridians on the exchange. That’s just a fraction of the 4.7 million residents across the Sunshine State enrolled today.

KFF News reported this week that enrollment has grown significantly more in states that favored Trump last election than in states that voted for his opponent.

“On average, states that voted for President Trump have seen Marketplace enrollment grow by 157% while states that voted for former Vice President (Kamala) Harris saw a 36% increase in Marketplace enrollment,” according to the report. Florida was one of the top 15 for growth.

Yet, the 4.7 million Floridians who rely on the marketplace may lose their enhanced tax credits if Congress does not act.

The enhanced tax credits have increased the affordability of coverage for middle income Americans. They are set to expire at the end of this year, and premiums will skyrocket for those on the exchange.

If Congress does not renew the tax credits, a 60-year-old couple in Florida earning $82,000 a year will be forced to pay $13,000 more for their health care coverage. A family of four in Florida earning $129,000 per year will face an increase of $4,500 on their annual premiums.

Hispanics would be among the hardest hit if the tax credits were to expire.

Julio Fuentes, President of the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce warned in an op-ed this week that “inaction would devastate Hispanic small business owners, their employees, and millions of other Floridians who depend on these tax credits.”

Fuentes urged Congress to “work together to extend these tax credits and keep health coverage within reach for working families.”