What were the major policy changes brought on by the Biden administration in 2021?

The Biden administration made several major policy changes in 2021 across various areas such as healthcare, education, environment, and immigration. One of the most significant changes was the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided COVID-19 relief and stimulus measures, such as direct payments to individuals and families, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for small businesses, among other things.

In terms of healthcare, the Biden administration reopened the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace for a special enrollment period, expanded Medicaid coverage, and lifted the ban on abortion referrals by federally funded family planning clinics. The administration also made efforts to address climate change by rejoining the Paris climate agreement, canceling the Keystone XL pipeline permit, and instituting a moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on federal land.

In education, the administration extended the freeze on student loan payments and interest, and expanded the child tax credit and earned income tax credit as part of the American Rescue Plan. In terms of immigration, the administration ended the travel ban on mostly Muslim-majority countries and created a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.