What Next | Daily News and Analysis Healthcare Is Expensive. It’s About To Get Worse.
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Dec 9, 2025 
Julie Rovner, Chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, dives into the impending crisis over expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. She reveals the origins of these crucial subsidies and explains why their looming expiration could lead to skyrocketing premiums for millions. Discussing the political maneuvering in Congress, Rovner assesses the slim chances of a last-minute fix and delves into how the abortion funding debate complicates renewal efforts. With insights on the potential repercussions for voters, her analysis is both timely and crucial.
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Enhanced Subsidies Doubled Enrollment
- Enhanced ACA tax credits doubled marketplace enrollment from ~11M to ~22M.
- Making insurance affordable drove people to buy coverage during COVID, Julie Rovner explains.
How The Enhanced Credits Worked
- The 2021 subsidy increase reduced or eliminated premiums for many lower-income people.
- Credits capped premium share of income, so lowering the cap sharply cut costs for enrollees.
The GOP Political Dilemma
- Many Republican voters benefit from the enhanced subsidies, creating political tension.
- Lawmakers face a conflict between opposing Obamacare and protecting constituents' affordability.