Re: [Thanks Republicans...] The ACA premium surge hits home

Leroy N. Soetoro wrote:
> https://www.axios.com/2025/10/30/aca-premiums-spike-hits-home

https://archive.is/ywNwv

> The anticipated spike in Affordable Care Act premiums came into focus this
> week as previews of 2026 coverage options showed how customers could be on
> the hook for thousands more dollars in costs.

> 
> Republicans continue to rebuff Democrats' demands that an extension be
> part of a deal to reopen the government.
> Where it stands: Insurers are raising the monthly premiums they charge for
> marketplace coverage by an average of 26% across the country, according to
> an analysis from KFF.
> 
> Virginia's marketplace started sending renewal notices to residents
> outlining premium increases between 4% and 40%.
> Colorado announced this week that the cost of 2026 coverage sold on the
> state's marketplace will double compared with this year.
> Pennsylvania said premiums will increase an average of 21.5% next year.
> Higher medical costs and rising prescription drug prices are driving up
> premiums, insurer trade group AHIP says.
> 
> Yes, but: The figures don't reflect what most people will actually pay for
> ACA coverage next year.
> 
> Monthly premiums would surge an average of 114% if Congress allows
> enhanced tax credits to expire at the end of the year, KFF calculated.
> A Minnesota official said residents could owe $2,000 more in premium
> payments next year if the enhanced subsidies go away.
> Congress originally passed the enhanced subsidies as a temporary pandemic
> measure. Under the policy, people making over 400% of the federal poverty
> level — $62,600 for an individual — do not have to pay more than 8.5% of
> their income toward marketplace health insurance.
> 
> Reality check: People earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty
> level will continue to get some of their premium subsidized next year,
> regardless of what Congress does.
> 
> However, the COVID-era changes lowered premium costs for this group,
> meaning they'd also see higher costs next year if Congress doesn't act.
> The Trump administration emphasized Wednesday that many consumers will
> have marketplace plan options with lower premiums than they did before the
> COVID-19 pandemic, even without enhanced subsidies.
> 
> But the administration noted that average premiums next year after
> standard tax credits are applied would be $13 more per month than in 2025.
> What we're watching: Budget and policy analysts predict that millions of
> people will decide coverage is beyond reach if enhanced subsidies aren't
> extended.
> 
> Those presumed exits already are contributing to next year's higher
> premiums.
> Insurers said in state filings that they planned to charge about 4
> percentage points higher on average based on the expectation that
> healthier people will drop coverage without enhanced subsidies, leaving a
> sicker pool of enrollees, according to KFF.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ar-AA1PzEuD
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