Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast Sen. Andy Kim on People’s Crazy Health Insurance Spikes
Nov 18, 2025
U.S. Senator Andy Kim, a progressive advocate for healthcare affordability and infrastructure from New Jersey, dives deep into the complexities of ACA subsidies and their impact on constituents. He shares insights on a Jersey City listener's dramatic premium spike and discusses the political hurdles facing a potential Senate vote on extending these subsidies. Kim also critiques the for-profit healthcare model, connects rising insurance costs to systemic failures, and highlights urgent issues like foreign aid cuts and their global repercussions.
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Press Lawmakers To Extend ACA Credits
- Push Congress to extend ACA tax credits to avoid sudden premium spikes for millions.
- Keep pressuring senators and representatives to act until a short-term deal is secured.
A Constituent's Premium Shock
- Laura from Jersey City described her premiums jumping from $500 to about $2,000 monthly.
- She faces choosing a pricier plan she can't afford or a cheaper plan that risks her health coverage.
Medicaid Cuts Push Costs Onto ACA
- Cost pressures trace partly to cuts in Medicaid and broader Republican policy choices.
- Providers and insurers shift lost revenue onto ACA markets, driving premium increases.