Big Take The ACA Subsidies Fight Hits the House Floor
Jan 7, 2026
Caitlin Reilly, a Congress reporter for Bloomberg News, dives into the urgent battle over Affordable Care Act subsidies. With enrollment deadlines approaching, she highlights how expired subsidies threaten coverage for 24 million Americans and potentially double premiums. The discussion touches on the political divide, revealing Republicans' objections and the challenges in crafting a compromise. Caitlin also explores the real-world impact on families and small businesses, emphasizing the stakes heading into the midterms if the subsidies aren't restored.
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Subsidy Expiration Sharpens Premiums
- Enhanced ACA subsidies expired at end of December, sharply raising premiums for many enrollees.
- About 24 million people are enrolled and roughly 90% received the enhanced pandemic-era credits.
Small-Business Owner Chooses Risky Plan
- Carrie Van Meveren, a 54-year-old small-business owner, re-enrolled but chose a high-deductible plan because subsidies were uncertain.
- She called it a "risk policy" she can't afford to use and now faces big financial choices if she needs care.
Two-Tier Subsidy Structure Creates Cliff
- Two subsidy sets exist: baseline ACA help remains for low-income people but pandemic-era credits boosted support up to 4x poverty level.
- Those boosted credits mostly disappear for people above four times poverty, creating a steep coverage cliff.