KQED's Forum Congress Scrambles to Address Healthcare Funding Before Year End
11 snips
Dec 4, 2025 
Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President at KFF, shares insights on the potential impacts of expiring ACA subsidies on 22 million Americans. U.S. Representative Sam Liccardo discusses his bipartisan Fix-It Act aimed at extending these subsidies, emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility. Jonathan Cohn highlights the political tug-of-war on Capitol Hill, revealing Republican divisions and the implications for the 2026 midterms. The episode also features real stories from constituents about their healthcare struggles and the urgency for bipartisan action.
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How Enhanced Credits Change What People Pay
- Enhanced ACA tax credits cut enrollees' required premium share to as little as 0% and up to 8.5% for higher earners.
- If the enhanced credits expire, people will face much higher out-of-pocket premium costs despite insurers already raising list premiums.
Insurer Hikes Reflect Expected Risk Selection
- Insurers are raising premiums partly because they expect healthier people to drop out if subsidies expire, leaving a sicker pool.
- This expected risk selection amplifies premium increases beyond underlying healthcare cost growth.
Republican Divide Makes Deal Unstable
- Republicans are split between pragmatic members representing affected districts and ideologues who oppose any ACA support.
- That division, plus mixed messaging from Trump, makes a bipartisan deal possible but uncertain.
