 Health Care |
Health Care |
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ACA window shopping goes live |
The rates, pricing and other data for 2026 Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance plans were publicly posted on the federal Healthcare.gov marketplace on Wednesday, just three days ahead of the start of open enrollment. |
Insurers have increased rates significantly for next year — an average of about 26 percent for a typical plan in the 30 states where the federal government runs the marketplace, and an average of 17 percent in states that run their own exchanges, according to a new analysis from KFF. But the biggest impact on Americans will be the amount they have to pay for coverage if the Affordable Care Act's enhanced subsidies expire at the end of the year, unless Congress extends them.
KFF found that payments will rise by 114 percent on average if Congress doesn't act. Democrats have leaned heavily on expanding the subsidies as part of their challenge to the GOP-led continuing resolution that would reopen the government after funding lapsed nearly a month ago. The subsidies made health insurance effectively free for the lowest income people and extended financial assistance for the first time to people earning up to four times the federal poverty level. More than 90 percent of enrollees will still receive some financial help even if the enhanced subsidies expire at the end of the year. But those tax credits could mean the difference between affording a silver plan with low deductibles or the lowest-cost bronze plan with a deductible that could be thousands of dollars more. "There can be a lot of hair pulling and scratching, mudslinging, but the fundamental reality for most Americans is that, although it is an increase in spending, that's not the big issue," Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said at a press conference on Wednesday. |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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| How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz downplayed on Wednesday the likely substantial increase in the amount Americans will pay for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) federal marketplace. When asked at a press conference about the lack of a deal in Congress to extend expiring enhanced tax credits, Oz said he thinks they should expire because they were only intended … |
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A new analysis published by the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) found that out-of-pocket premium payments will more than double if ObamaCare’s enhanced premium tax credits expire. According to the CBPP’s projections, annual out-of-pocket premium payments would more than double, exceeding $1,000 on average if the credits aren’t extended. Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) … |
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The Trump administration is apparently seeking to study whether there are any health impacts of offshore wind, an energy source that has been the subject of the president's ire. Bloomberg News reported this week that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to look into the matter. Asked about the effort, HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard described … |
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Branch out with a different read: |
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'Window shopping' opens for 2026 Affordable Care Act plans |
The rates, pricing and other data for 2026 Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance plans were publicly posted on the federal Healthcare.gov marketplace on Wednesday, just three days ahead of the start of open enrollment. The health research nonprofit KFF said the average increase in premiums for ACA plans will be 26 percent next year, based on data for "benchmark" silver plans, which are the midtier plans in each region that most … |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Louisiana officials waited months to warn public of whooping cough outbreak (WWNO)
- Missouri warns consumers of health risks associated with 7-OH products (Missouri Independent)
- Iowa has an OB-GYN shortage. Some doctors blame the state's strict abortion ban (NPR)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what's next (Stat)
- Many fear federal loan caps will deter aspiring doctors and worsen MD shortage (KFF Health News)
- DOJ tried to subpoena an online trans health care provider. A judge quashed it. (Politico)
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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