1A How Health Insurance Got So Expensive
8 snips
Nov 6, 2025 
Cynthia Cox, a KFF expert on the Affordable Care Act, and Margo Sanger-Katz, a health policy reporter for The New York Times, dive into the soaring costs of health insurance. They discuss the significant premium hikes due to subsidy changes and government gridlock. The pair analyze who benefits from rising costs and the challenges individuals face in selecting insurance plans. They also explore why other countries manage healthcare more affordably and the long-term implications if millions drop coverage. This conversation sheds light on a pressing national issue.
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Barb's Premium Shock
- Caller Barb in Bellevue describes her plan jumping from $474 to $747 monthly for 2026, forcing her to choose a cheaper plan.
- Her example illustrates the real household shock from combined premium rises and subsidy cuts.
Sticker Shock From Rising Premiums
- Premiums in federally run ACA marketplaces rose about 30% this year, while state-run markets saw ~17% increases.
- Reduced pandemic-era subsidies plus rising premiums create a double hit for many buyers.
Enhanced Subsidies Shrunk Cost Shares
- Pandemic-era enhanced tax credits cut premium shares drastically, sometimes to zero for low-income buyers.
- Without those credits, many who previously paid little will face much higher out-of-pocket premiums.