
The Daily Congress Failed to Extend the Health Care Subsidies. Now What?
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Dec 18, 2025 Margot Sanger-Katz, a health policy reporter for The New York Times, unpacks the implications of Congress’s failure to extend health care subsidies for millions reliant on the Affordable Care Act. She discusses the political maneuvering behind the scenes and the crucial stakes for low-income Americans facing skyrocketing insurance costs. Personal stories reveal the harsh choices individuals must make about their health coverage. Sanger-Katz also explores rising insurance premiums and the potential fallout for Republicans in upcoming elections.
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Democrats' Gamble On Subsidies Failed
- Democrats gambled on making subsidies the centerpiece of the shutdown fight but failed to secure a lasting deal.
- The short-term political strategy produced attention but not legislation, leaving subsidies to expire.
Pandemic Subsidies Reshaped Eligibility
- Pandemic-era subsidies expanded help and made many premiums effectively zero for the poorest enrollees.
- Democrats also extended help to people above 400% of the poverty level who previously received none.
Millions Face Higher Premiums In 2026
- About 24 million people now buy marketplace plans, roughly double pre-pandemic enrollment.
- Low-income enrollees face a jump from $0 to about $50 monthly, while middle earners face larger increases.

