The Brian Lehrer Show ACA Open Enrollment Starting
Oct 30, 2025
Elisabeth Benjamin, Vice President of Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society and co-founder of the Health Care for All New York Campaign, shares insights on the upcoming challenges in health insurance costs. She discusses the expected 30%-45% premium increases, the impact of political opposition to ACA subsidy extensions, and offers practical enrollment tips. Elisabeth emphasizes the importance of personalized help from navigators and outlines how recent policy changes affect eligibility for essential plans. Listeners are encouraged to reach out for local support and advocacy resources.
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Subsidy Expiration Spurs Massive Premium Hike
- Enhanced pandemic-era premium subsidies sunset will sharply raise premiums and push millions toward uninsurance.
- Elisabeth Benjamin warns New York could see average premium hikes of about $240 per person per month.
Prices, Not Benefits, Drive Costs
- High U.S. health costs stem from uncontrolled provider and drug prices rather than benefit mandates.
- Benjamin argues subsidies are needed while broader price controls and reforms are pursued.
Real People Facing Steep Jumps
- Benjamin recounts Louisa, a single writer making $70,000, who will see annual premiums jump from $6,000 to $10,000 after subsidies end.
- She also describes a 28-year-old freelancer facing new premiums after losing zero-premium Essential Plan coverage.