The Biden COVID Credits temporarily expanded Obamacare by removing the income cap and increasing subsidies for enrollees.
Originally, eligibility for subsidies ended at 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is $62,600 for an individual or $128,600 for a household of four. The COVID Credits eliminated that cap, allowing households earning more than $500,000 a year, or 2,446% of the FPL, to qualify for taxpayer subsidies. Insurance companies can even receive these credits for a single adult earning over $250,000 annually.
Unsurprisingly, more individuals have enrolled in Obamacare and received taxpayer-subsidized coverage since the income cap was removed. Compared with a decade ago, the number of Obamacare enrollees above the former household income limit has increased by 440% from 168,000 to 908,000.
This understates the growth in well-off Obamacare enrollees, as this only includes states on the federal exchange. In 2015, 37 states reported data, compared with only 32 in 2025.
The Biden COVID Credits have only increased dependence on the government for healthcare, leaving taxpayers to cover the cost for individuals who can afford their own insurance. Rather than continuing this wasteful spending, Congress should allow the Biden COVID Credits to expire.
