Skip to main content

Fact check: False claim that Biden's executive order gives Americans free health insurance

 





A Jan. 9 Facebook clip (direct link, archived link) shows President Joe Biden signing directives at the White House.

"Your 2023 Relief Package Is Here!," reads the caption of the post. "President Biden signed Executive Order 14009 making Health Insurance FREE for qualifying Americans. Thanks to the Affordable Cart (sic) Act, American’s (sic) with less than $50k/year income now qualify to get Health Plans for as low as $0/month."

The post generated over 60,000 views in less than two weeks.

Biden doesn't have the power to offer free health insurance

In 2021, Biden signed executive order 14009 aimed at strengthening Medicaid, a public health insurance program, and the Affordable Care Act, a federal statute designed to make health insurance affordable for low-income Americans.

Contrary to the post’s claim, the executive order does not give Americans free health insurance, according to Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University.

“In fact, it is not within the president's power to provide all Americans with health insurance,” Gostin said. “That is the role of Congress. His order only tries to maximize coverage under existing law, both the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.”

The order requires heads of agencies to examine policies or practices that "may present unnecessary barriers to individuals and families" attempting to access either Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage. The order makes no reference to free health insurance coverage.

The Facebook video does not support the claim, either. It shows Biden signing executive orders and other directives related to issues such as immigration and the COVID-19 pandemic on Jan. 20, 2021.

Eligibility for Medicaid varies by state. In addition, what type of subsidy a person qualifies for under the Affordable Care Act depends on their income level. 

USA TODAY has debunked other claims misinterpreting Biden's executive orders, including baseless assertions that executive order 14081 declares that all Americans must surrender human rights and that executive order 14067 will implement a cash-free digital currency. 

USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment.

AFP Fact Check also debunked the claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 10 Insurance Companies in the UAE You Can Actually Trust

  Top 10 Insurance Companies in the UAE You Can Actually Trust Finding the right insurer in the UAE can feel like navigating a maze — there are dozens of providers, plus a mix of local firms, regional players, and global brands. Trust matters most when it comes to insurance: you want a company with proven financial strength, a solid claims process, wide provider networks (for health), clear policy wording, and responsive customer service. Below I’ve compiled a practical, trust-focused list of the top 10 insurance companies in the UAE (in no strict ranked order). For each I summarize what they do best and why many expats and UAE nationals rely on them. Wherever possible I’ve cited reputable local sources so you can dig deeper. bricksconsultancy.com +1 Also Read:  How to Choose the Right Insurance Plan: A Complete 2025 Guide 1) Sukoon Insurance (formerly Oman Insurance Company) Why trust them: Sukoon — long known as Oman Insurance Company until its rebrand — is o...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Look at 12 of the Worlds Most Expensive Colleges

  “College is the best time of your life. When else are your parents going to spend several thousand dollars a year just for you to go to a strange town and get drunk every night?” —  David Wood Engineering remains the in demand degree across the employment spectrum and students have many colleges and universities from which to choose. How will students choose which to attend? Some will compare the achievements of former graduates. Others will examine course work and curricular pros and cons. Then there are those who compare costs and will only study at the best, meaning only the most expensive engineering program will do. “Education is the most powerful weapon which to use to change the world.” –  Nelson Mandela The new generation of college students want to change the world. They want to make a difference in their communities and make money while doing it. Working just to earn money takes a backseat to finding a career that is fun, fulfilling and meanin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Everything about IPL viral girl Sahiba Sherni: Sahiba Sherni Wiki | Height | Weight | & Instagram and more

  Sahiba Sherni is an Indian social media personality who gained viral fame during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. She was spotted by a cameraman during one of the matches and quickly became a social media sensation. Despite her sudden rise to fame, not much is known about Sahiba's personal life or background. She has not publicly shared much information about herself or her interests, except for a few posts on her social media accounts. Sahiba Sherni's social media following grew rapidly after the IPL incident, and she has since become a popular figure on various platforms, including Instagram and Twitter. Her fans have praised her for her beauty, confidence, and humor, and many have even created fan pages dedicated to her. While her sudden fame has brought her a lot of attention, it's unclear what Sahiba's plans are for the future. Some speculate that she may pursue a career in modeling or acting, while others believe that she will continue to focus on buildi...
Post a Comment
Read more
Update cookies preferences