Heritage Explains Why Do Medical Care Costs Keep Rising? | Nina Schaefer
Oct 29, 2025
Nina Schaefer, a Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation specializing in health care policy, dives deep into the Affordable Care Act's shortcomings and rising medical costs. She highlights how Obama’s promises fell flat and what the current government shutdown means for ACA subsidies. Nina discusses the impact of COVID-era changes to Obamacare and argues that rising premiums are due to broader healthcare costs and mandates. She suggests policy changes to increase consumer choice and lower costs, painting a vivid picture of today's healthcare landscape.
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Broken Promises Of The ACA
- The Affordable Care Act did not keep promises like "If you like your plan, you can keep it."
- Nina Schaefer argues ACA's subsidies and payouts made health care costlier than necessary.
Temporary Subsidies Became Permanent Pressure
- Temporary COVID-era subsidy expansions became stepping stones for permanent expansion demands.
- Schaefer says Democrats now press to make those add-ons permanent rather than end them.
Medicaid Reforms Target Waste
- Recent legislation tightened Medicaid eligibility, financing, and work requirements to curb misuse.
- Schaefer credits reforms for reducing loopholes, undocumented enrollments, and questionable state financing tactics.