Healthcare — Rising ObamaCare costs fuel Democrat attacks on campaign trail

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View Online Healthcare Health Care The Big Story  Rising ObamaCare costs fuel Democrat attacks  Affordable Care Act plan premiums are projected to rise by double digits once again in 2027, giving Democrats more room to attack Republicans on the affordability front.  © Stefani Reynolds, Bloomberg via Getty Images file According to preliminary filings analyzed by KFF, insurers are looking at a median increase of 14 percent. That’s on top of 2026 premiums that were already a median 20 percent higher than the previous year.     These cost spikes are part of the continued fallout from the expiration of the enhanced premium ACA tax credits last year.    If the 2027 rates are ultimately approved, it would be the second-highest increase since 2018 — continuing a trend of turmoil for the health exchanges under the Trump administration after years of coverage gains and relative stability.    Medical costs, including hospitals and prescription drugs, are rising. There’s growing demand for costly specialty medications and for GLP-1s. Some insurers have dropped coverage of the drugs for weight loss because they are so expensive and utilization is so high.     Rising inflation is also playing a role, straining supply chains and making everything more expensive, including healthcare.     While most Americans on ObamaCare plans still qualify for subsidies that protect them from paying the full premiums, middle-income enrollees who don’t get those subsidies are facing a steep increase in costs.      “This was a deliberate choice by Republicans who took away affordable coverage from millions of people to help fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations,” said Leslie Dach, chair of the Democratic-aligned group Protect Our Care. “The damage is already being felt at kitchen tables across America, and these new premium hikes show the worst is still ahead.” Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare 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 healthcare sector this week and beyond: RFK Jr. plans COVID-19 vaccine injury list Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to make it easier for people to get compensated for injuries they claim came from COVID-19 vaccines. A rule being prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would allow the agency to compile a list of specific injuries that it will presume were directly caused by a covered COVID-19 countermeasure, such as a vaccine or therapeutic, so long as …  Full Story Massie: Might as well call ObamaCare ‘Trumpcare’ Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie (R) on Wednesday said ObamaCare might as well be renamed “Trumpcare” as premiums increase and Republicans haven’t moved to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “Might as well call it Trumpcare now. Our party has made no serious effort to repeal Obamacare and legalize affordable health insurance after taking control of the House, Senate & White House,” Massie wrote Wednesday on the social platform …  Full Story Millions of eye drops recalled nationwide due to potential foreign substance NEW YORK (WPIX) – Millions of bottles of eye drop medication widely used to treat allergies and inflammation have been recalled across the country, according to the Food and Drug Administration.  Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension eye drops were recalled due to the potential presence of a foreign substance, according to the recall notice.   Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., the manufacturer of the prescription drug, …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: Lawmakers tell HHS to crack down on discrimination in medically assisted suicide  A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to set up new monitoring rules for hospices to root out discrimination against vulnerable populations in the provision of medically assisted suicide.  In a letter sent to Kennedy on Thursday, Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Reps. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) and Luis Correa (D-Calif.) recommended that Kennedy’s … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on healthcare: As Montana’s Medicaid work requirements roll out, cancer patients fear they’ll lose coverage (NBC)  Why a bitter health care fight is at the center of a high-stakes House battle (Politico)  New state funding aims to help Virginians who were priced out of health insurance after loss of federal subsidies (Cardinal News)  What We're Reading  Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets: In private meeting, Trump officials push to onshore generic drugmaking (Stat)  More workers take mental health leave, and bosses aren’t happy (Bloomberg)  Lawmakers target the power of health insurance giants (New York Times)  What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: Taking MAHA behind the wall: Healthy food is the right recipe for prison safety The US is failing Black mothers and babies. A lawsuit wants to keep it that way.   You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Healthcare 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 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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