Health Care — Open enrollment to begin without ACA subsidies

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Open enrollment day arrives with no subsidies in place Saturday marks the first day people who buy their own health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace can sign up for coverage, and they are going to be seeing some major spikes in how much they'll have to pay for insurance.  © The Associated Press Nov. 1 has been a key date in the fight over the government shutdown, as Democrats have long argued that if the enhanced federal subsidies aren't renewed by that point, the impact on consumers will be dramatic.     Democrats blame Republicans for not wanting to extend the enhanced subsidies and not caring about the cost to consumers, while many Republicans say the tax credits mask the underlying failure of ObamaCare, and the whole system needs changing. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a permanent extension will cost about $350 billion over the next decade.    Republicans say any health negotiations will happen after the government is open; Democrats say they have to happen now.    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 mid-tier plans in each region that most people purchase and are used to set the subsidy amounts.    But KFF found the amount that people pay for coverage is set to rise 114 percent on average because Congress has not extended the enhanced tax credits that help people afford insurance plans.     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 COVID-era subsidies don't expire until the end of December. There are all sorts of discussions going on. There needs to be massive reform," Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Thursday. "There needs to be income caps and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse that is rife in those programs.  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. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: FDA cracks down on fluoride supplements for children The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put four companies on notice for marketing "unapproved fluoride-containing ingestible drugs" for use by children under the age of 3 or children at low or moderate risk of tooth decay. "This Halloween, the FDA is driving a stake through the heart of outdated science and protecting our kids from the risks associated with ingestible fluoride," Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert …  Full Story Peaches sold at Trader Joe's, Kroger recalled over listeria risk (NewsNation) — Two types of California-grown peaches sold across the U.S. have been recalled for potential listeria contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall includes fresh white, yellow and “peppermint” peaches from Moonlight Companies which were sold at grocery stores across the country including Trader Joe’s and Kroger stores such as Mariano’s, Pick n Save, Metro …  Full Story Trump tells Democrats to 'do something' ahead of ObamaCare premiums spike President Trump once again slammed ObamaCare late Thursday, demanding Democrats “do something” ahead of an imminent spike in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums amid the federal funding impasse. "As I have said for years, OBAMACARE IS A DISASTER! Rates are going through the roof for really bad healthcare!!! Do something Democrats!!!" the president wrote in a Truth Social post.  His comment comes as the government …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: Blood pressure medication recalled over potential carcinogen: What to know (NEXSTAR) – Nearly 590,000 bottles of blood pressure drugs have been recalled over concerns that they may contain a potentially carcinogenic chemical that exceeds the "acceptable intake limit." The medications affected by the recall — prazosin hydrochloride — were recalled earlier this month by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA (which initiated its recall on Oct. 7) and Amerisource Health Services (Oct. 26). Enforcement reports published … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: At The Hollow in Florida, the 'medical freedom' movement finds its base camp (KFF Health Newss)  Ohio lawmakers allocate $25 Million to support families amid SNAP uncertainty (Hometown Stations)  Connecticut lawmakers: Lamont must do more to replace vanishing food aid (CT Mirror)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Under Vinay Prasad, employees at a key FDA center fear speaking out, look for the exits (Stat)  Who receives SNAP? Food aid for 1 in 8 Americans is threatened in November (The Washington Post)  The day pharma's weight-loss gold rush intensified (The Wall Street Journal)  What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: Saturated fat debate overlooks toxic chemical contaminants in industrial meat When it comes to medical privacy, injured workers have it worse than prisoners   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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