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Biden Boosts Obamacare, Extends Special Enrollment Period

President Biden boosts the Affordable Care Act during remarks.
Chip Somodevilla
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Getty Images
President Biden boosts the Affordable Care Act during remarks.

The enrollment period will now end Aug. 15. The president was in Ohio to celebrate the anniversary of the health care bill and to promote the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the Affordable Care Act special enrollment period would be extended from May 15 to Aug. 15.

Biden spoke in Ohio to celebrate the anniversary of the health care bill and to promote his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Biden also spoke again briefly about the Colorado shooting — which took the lives of 10 people, including a police officer — saying his "heart goes out" to the victims and survivors.

Discussing the ongoing pandemic, Biden highlighted the hardships endured by many Americans, including a heightened risk of suicide, decreased learning time for students and increased financial burdens.

"Help is here," he said.

Biden boasted the $1,400 COVID-19 relief checks delivered under his administration and spoke extensively about cancer care extended under the ACA. Biden's son Beau died as a result of cancer complications.

"For millions who are out of work and have no coverage, thanks to this law, there's an Obamacare plan that most folks can get with zero dollar premiums," he said about the bill he promoted as vice president to former President Obama.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Alana Wise is a politics reporter on the Washington desk at NPR.
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