The Journal. The Healthcare Fight at the Heart of the Longest Ever Shutdown
88 snips
Nov 4, 2025 
Anna Wilde Matthews, a WSJ insurance reporter, breaks down the complexities of ACA subsidies and the alarming rise in healthcare premiums. Kevin Foster shares his personal experience of a shocking increase from $7,000 to $38,000 in annual premiums, illustrating the real impact of these changes. They discuss the origins of the Affordable Care Act, the political battles over subsidies, and the implications of potential expiration. Rising healthcare costs from various factors and the risk of adverse selection are also explored, emphasizing the uncertainty enrollees face.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sticker Shock From One Enrollee
- Kevin Foster discovered his ACA premium jumped from about $7,000 to $38,000 for next year and suspected an error.
- He learned the change was due to reductions in a government subsidy he had relied on.
Subsidies Drove Enrollment And Cost
- The 2021 pandemic-era subsidy expansion greatly increased ACA enrollment to about 24 million people.
- More generous subsidies and rising health costs together raised federal spending on the ACA.
Considering Temporary Expatriation
- Kevin Foster considered living abroad and buying travel insurance until he qualifies for Medicare to avoid skyrocketing premiums.
- He found extended travel policies costing about $700 a month as a potential stopgap.