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The ACA enhanced premium tax credits expanded financial assistance to more Marketplace enrollees, an expansion that was especially helpful to older middle-income enrollees, who would see the largest increases in out-of-pocket premiums if the enhanced credits expire.
In his latest column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman shows how spiking premiums, which may come if the enhanced ACA tax credits are not extended, will hit people in the context of their family budgets, alongside rising costs for food, housing and utilities. For some families, their new health care costs could far exceed what they pay for food, affecting their economic security and potentially their vote.
This election is a choice in health between aggressive incrementalism and a sharp right-hand turn in federal policy and spending, but ... no one should doubt the capacity of our system and institutions to thwart dramatic change in any direction.
These state profiles capture the variations across states in the number and characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries through the Medicare Savings Programs and Medicare’s Part D Low-Income Subsidy.
This graphing tool allows users to explore trends in workplace-sponsored health insurance premiums and worker contributions over time for different categories of employers based on results from the annual Employer Health Benefits Survey. Breakouts are available by firm size, region and industry, as well as for firms with relatively few or many part-time workers, higher- or lower-wage workers, and older or younger workers.
In a new column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman forecasts eight things to look for in health policy in 2026. “First and foremost,” he writes, “is the role health care affordability will play in the midterms.” And, he notes: “The average cost of a family policy for employers could approach $30,000 and cost sharing and deductibles will rise again after plateauing for several years.”
Vance’s debate comment likely refers to state reinsurance waivers, largely approved by the Trump Administration. These waivers aimed to lower unsubsidized premiums by offsetting insurer costs for very sick enrollees.
It is worth a refresher on how the ACA protects people with pre-existing conditions. It’s also worth asking whether and how an alternative would do the same.
High U.S. prices and demand for Ozempic and Wegovy have implications for insurance premiums, public program costs, and affordability.
Trump has long talked about making the ACA less expensive, but the question is less expensive for whom
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