Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins amid falling coverage numbers

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act began Sunday in Oregon, and most other states.

The launch comes as federal and state data indicate that overall coverage numbers are continuing to fall across the country.

Federal data shows that more than 19 million people had enhanced premium subsidies in February, representing a decrease of about 2.5 million from a year earlier.

Reports from individual states suggest that enrollment numbers fell further throughout the spring as more people dropped their plans, leaving some Americans with serious illnesses without coverage due to higher insurance costs.

Data from 18 states shows that disenrollments rose nearly 34% through May compared to the same period a year earlier.

Federal officials attribute the enrollment declines to efforts aimed at removing fraudulent and unauthorized enrollments from the system.