"Enhanced tax credits that have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired overnight, cementing higher health costs for millions of Americans at the start of the new year.Democrats forced a 43-day government shutdown over the issue. Moderate Republicans called for a solution to save their 2026 political aspirations. President Donald Trump floated a way out, only to back off after conservative backlash."
"The change affects a diverse cross-section of Americans who don't get their health insurance from an employer and don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare - a group that includes many self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers.It comes at the start of a high-stakes midterm election year, with affordability - including the cost of health care - topping the list of voters' concerns."
""It really bothers me that the middle class has moved from a squeeze to a full suffocation, and they continue to just pile on and leave it up to us," said 37-year-old single mom Katelin Provost, whose health care costs are set to jump. "I'm incredibly disappointed that there hasn't been more action.""
Enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that reduced premiums for most ACA enrollees expired at the start of the year, raising health costs for millions. Political actions including a 43-day shutdown and pressure from moderates failed to prevent the lapse. A potential House vote in January could restore the subsidies but faces uncertain prospects. The change affects people without employer coverage or Medicaid/Medicare eligibility, including self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers. The credits were first added in 2021 for pandemic relief and extended to early 2026; protections such as zero premiums and an 8.5% income cap have ended, causing some families to face large premium increases.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]