What A Day The Price of Care: Fixing The ACA
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Oct 28, 2025 In this insightful discussion, Mark Shepard, an Associate Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and an expert on health policy, dives into the crucial topic of ACA subsidies. He explains the serious implications if these subsidies expire, potentially leaving 25 million Americans facing skyrocketing premiums. Mark also compares U.S. healthcare costs to those in countries like Switzerland, highlighting the importance of regulation and drug price controls. His practical advice encourages listeners to stay informed and lobby for necessary reforms.
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Enhanced Subsidies Protect The Missing Middle
- Enhanced ACA subsidies keep middle-income Americans insured by lowering exchange premiums.
- Losing them would raise uninsured rates and shift costs to hospitals, states, and taxpayers.
Higher Prices, Not More Care, Drive U.S. Costs
- U.S. health spending is high because we pay higher prices for similar care.
- Lack of fixed budgets and limited bargaining power lets prices stay elevated.
Universal Private Systems Rely On Central Power
- Countries with private insurance and universal coverage use mandates and strong regulation.
- Central negotiation of drug and provider prices keeps overall costs far lower than in the U.S.