How much are your health insurance costs rising?

[jonnyutah 559]

16 minutes ago, Fnord said:

35% with an increase in deductibles and out of pocket maximums both in and out of network. But hell, at least I still have it!

Every 5% increase provides healthcare for one illegal. Thank you for your sacrifice. 

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

Can one of you magas explain to me how it's different?  The govt paying the insurance companies vs the government paying us who then pays the insurance companies?

He's the dumbest person alive.

[supermike80 2,098]

Mine isnt going up this year

[easilyscan 1,021]

Was considering taking Social Security in my first year of eligibility. 

Right now everything is set to renew for MNsure and we dont need to send in any income verification at this point.  I would caution you about starting your social security as that amount in addition to your other income would eliminate your tax credit subsidy and your premium would go from $156.82 to $1185.44 monthly. 

 

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

On 11/3/2025 at 11:56 AM, Ron_Artest said:

You want me to blame a guy who hasn't been president in 9 years for cost increases now? 

 

Maybe, maybe not. You do realize that a lot of what we see, in all areas, can be attributed to administrations decisions from a decade+ ago, right? Sometimes it's because of an action or policy of the current but sometimes there is cause and effect going back many years. sometimes its negative and sometimes it's positive. In this case, ACA is probably the biggest healthcare related event in quite some time, so someone bringing up Obama is perfectly understandable. 

learn to think objectively and not so much with feelings. 

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

On 11/16/2025 at 7:45 PM, Ron_Artest said:

Can one of you magas explain to me how it's different?  The govt paying the insurance companies vs the government paying us who then pays the insurance companies?

He's the dumbest person alive.

I am not an expert on the topic (neither are you, I assume) but as I understand it, people on ACA are limited in their choice of provider/plan. So all of the advanced tax credits that go from the government directly to those providers could theoretically go to the consumer instead, which would allow them to choose any provider or plan they want rather than just the ones offered to them when they apply.  That is one big difference off the top of my head.

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

1 hour ago, WhiteWonder said:

I am not an expert on the topic (neither are you, I assume) but as I understand it, people on ACA are limited in their choice of provider/plan. So all of the advanced tax credits that go from the government directly to those providers could theoretically go to the consumer instead, which would allow them to choose any provider or plan they want rather than just the ones offered to them when they apply.  That is one big difference off the top of my head.

Not the way it works.  Joining the ACA is a choice.  People have a choice to buy whatever insurance they want now.  If you go through the ACA it was cheaper due to subsidies but may not be any more.  You're still paying insurance companies for premiums not matter if you go through ACA or through another broker.

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

4 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

Not the way it works.  Joining the ACA is a choice.  People have a choice to buy whatever insurance they want now.  If you go through the ACA it was cheaper due to subsidies but may not be any more.  You're still paying insurance companies for premiums not matter if you go through ACA or through another broker.

I am aware that joining ACA is a choice. It sounded like your question was asking how is giving the money directly to people different from the government giving it to the insurance companies, so it sounded like you were talking about ACA and people who use it. If you need/want advanced tax credits from the government to help reduce your premiums, you're going through obamacare. Obamacare limits your choices for providers and plans. You can choose to buy whatever insurance you want, but not if you want APTC.  For example, I know people who get their insurance through the NJ marketplace and Aetna is not an option. There are maybe 3-4 insurance companies that participate with limited plans offered.  I assume that those options shrink further when you take into consideration if the persons preferred doctors are in network or not. 

So again, one difference between the government giving $ to the insurance companies or giving it to the person who will then give it to the insurance companies is that the person gets to pick whatever insurance company and plan they want and essentially apply the APTC they are receiving directly. 

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

5 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

I am aware that joining ACA is a choice. It sounded like your question was asking how is giving the money directly to people different from the government giving it to the insurance companies, so it sounded like you were talking about ACA and people who use it. If you need/want advanced tax credits from the government to help reduce your premiums, you're going through obamacare. Obamacare limits your choices for providers and plans. You can choose to buy whatever insurance you want, but not if you want APTC.  For example, I know people who get their insurance through the NJ marketplace and Aetna is not an option. There are maybe 3-4 insurance companies that participate with limited plans offered.  I assume that those options shrink further when you take into consideration if the persons preferred doctors are in network or not. 

So again, one difference between the government giving $ to the insurance companies or giving it to the person who will then give it to the insurance companies is that the person gets to pick whatever insurance company and plan they want and essentially apply the APTC they are receiving directly. 

It's essentially school vouchers.  It doesn't help anyone on the ACA, but it helps people who can afford premium programs bought privately.

Basically Trump screwing the lower and middle class and helping the rich, more of the same.

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

13 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

It's essentially school vouchers.  It doesn't help anyone on the ACA, but it helps people who can afford premium programs bought privately.

Basically Trump screwing the lower and middle class and helping the rich, more of the same.

 

Not true

If someone on ACA isn't thrilled with the slim options they are offered, they have no choice because they obviously need APTC.  Instead of the government sending those APTCs directly to the few participating providers and the individual reconciling it at tax time, if the APTCs are given directly to the person they can use them to help purchase a plan from any provider they want.  How is that not a benefit? or how is that not different?  You are expanding the options for people who need to be on ACA. 

People who can afford premium programs bought privately are not people who would qualify for APTC through ACA. 

So how is this screwing the lower and middle class? If you have something that shows this idea is meant to give government funds (equally) to all Americans regardless of income level to use to buy healthcare, then sure... i'll agree. It seemed to me that this was more just a different concept to current ACA. 

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

1 minute ago, WhiteWonder said:

If someone on ACA isn't thrilled with the slim options they are offered, they have no choice because they obviously need APTC.  Instead of the government sending those APTCs directly to the few participating providers and the individual reconciling it at tax time, if the APTCs are given directly to the person they can use them to help purchase a plan from any provider they want.  How is that not a benefit? or how is that not different?  You are expanding the options for people who need to be on ACA. 

People who can afford premium programs bought privately are not people who would qualify for APTC through ACA. 

So how is this screwing the lower and middle class? If you have something that shows this idea is meant to give government funds (equally) to all Americans regardless of income level to use to buy healthcare, then sure... i'll agree. It seemed to me that this was more just a different concept to current ACA. 

If someone doesn't like their ACA coverage they can leave today if they want, they just have to pay more.  With this plan, they won't have to pay "as much" more potentially.

It doesn't help the people who can barely afford their ACA coverage now.

Again, he wants to help the people who are more well off.  A signature of his admin.

It's school vouchers.

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

Just now, Ron_Artest said:

If someone doesn't like their ACA coverage they can leave today if they want, they just have to pay more.  With this plan, they won't have to pay "as much" more potentially.

It doesn't help the people who can barely afford their ACA coverage now.

Again, he wants to help the people who are more well off.  A signature of his admin.

It's school vouchers.

One of the main (possibly only) reasons to buy your healthcare through ACA is to qualify for APTC and cost sharing reductions. It's financial aid for healthcare. If you need APTC to reduce your monthly premiums, chances are you will remain with ACA and choose the best plan you can from the participating providers. 

How is this helping people who are more well off? Why would more well off people be receiving money to spend on their coverage? If you can show me where this is the plan, I would be against it. 

Bottom line is you asked for someone (a maga, sorry they didn't respond) to explain how giving government aid directly to the people instead of to the insurance companies was any different. I gave you a reason. 

Imagine qualifying for financial aid for your health insurance through ACA and instead of the government sending it directly to the 3-4 companies who participate in obamacare, they send it directly to you to use with whatever company YOU want. How are you not seeing the difference there?

[TimHauck 3,335]

Mine is going up 7%

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

7 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

One of the main (possibly only) reasons to buy your healthcare through ACA is to qualify for APTC and cost sharing reductions. It's financial aid for healthcare. If you need APTC to reduce your monthly premiums, chances are you will remain with ACA and choose the best plan you can from the participating providers. 

How is this helping people who are more well off? Why would more well off people be receiving money to spend on their coverage? If you can show me where this is the plan, I would be against it. 

Bottom line is you asked for someone (a maga, sorry they didn't respond) to explain how giving government aid directly to the people instead of to the insurance companies was any different. I gave you a reason. 

Imagine qualifying for financial aid for your health insurance through ACA and instead of the government sending it directly to the 3-4 companies who participate in obamacare, they send it directly to you to use with whatever company YOU want. How are you not seeing the difference there?

Maybe an example will help.

2025:

Person A buys plan from ACA.  Cost = $2,000/mo.  Subsidies drop it to $1,000/mo.

Person B buys plan from private insurer.  Cost = $3000/mo.  No subsides so cost is $3000/mo

2026 Trump plan, pay the subsidies to the person:

Person A buys plan from ACA.  Cost = $2,000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo from Trump, final cost is $1000/mo

Person B buys plan from private insurer.  Cost = $3000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo from Trump, final cost is $2000/mo

Is person A getting any benefit?  No.  Same cost.

Is person B getting any benefit? Yes, their premium plan is cheaper.

Get it?

The benefit is for the person who doesn't want an ACA plan.  It's. School. Vouchers.

It does nothing to make ACA plans cheaper and it weakens the ACA, which I'm sure you are in favor of anyway.

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,567]

8 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

Maybe an example will help.

2025:

Person A buys plan from ACA.  Cost = $2,000/mo.  Subsidies drop it to $1,000/mo.

Person B buys plan from private insurer.  Cost = $3000/mo.  No subsides so cost is $3000/mo

2026 Trump plan, pay the subsidies to the person:

Person A buys plan from ACA.  Cost = $2,000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo from Trump, final cost is $1000/mo

Person B buys plan from private insurer.  Cost = $3000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo from Trump, final cost is $2000/mo

Is person A getting any benefit?  No.  Same cost.

Is person B getting any benefit? Yes, their premium plan is cheaper.

Get it?

The benefit is for the person who doesn't want an ACA plan.  It's. School. Vouchers.

It does nothing to make ACA plans cheaper and it weakens the ACA, which I'm sure you are in favor of anyway.

wow that sounds perfect to me 

 

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

12 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

Maybe an example will help.

2025:

Person A buys plan from ACA.  Cost = $2,000/mo.  Subsidies drop it to $1,000/mo.

Person B buys plan from private insurer.  Cost = $3000/mo.  No subsides so cost is $3000/mo

2026 Trump plan, pay the subsidies to the person:

Person A buys plan from ACA.  Cost = $2,000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo from Trump, final cost is $1000/mo

Person B buys plan from private insurer.  Cost = $3000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo from Trump, final cost is $2000/mo

Is person A getting any benefit?  No.  Same cost.

Is person B getting any benefit? Yes, their premium plan is cheaper.

Get it?

The benefit is for the person who doesn't want an ACA plan.  It's. School. Vouchers.

It does nothing to make ACA plans cheaper and it weakens the ACA, which I'm sure you are in favor of anyway.

Maybe an example will help 

2025:

Person A buys plan from ACA (the only way they are getting subsidies). Cost = 2,000/mo. Subsidies drop it to $1,000/mo

Person B buys plan from whatever insurer they want. Cost = $3,000/mo.  No subsidies (because the insurer is not part of ACA or because they wouldn't qualify for any through ACA anyway) so cost is $3000/mo

 

2026: Trump plan, pay the subsidies to the person

Person A who qualifies for subsidies through ACA buys a plan wherever they want. Cost = $3,000/mo.  They get $1,000/mo directly for health insurance, final cost is $2000/mo

Person B still doesn't qualify and buys a plan wherever they want. Cost is $3000/mo. They get $0/mo directly for health insurance, final cost is $3000/mo.

 

Get it?

The benefit is for the person who doesn't want one of the few plans they are allowed to pick under ACA and now have the ability to use their "credit" anywhere they want. 

ACA is not an insurance company. It has participating companies that offer watered down plans. 

I never said it makes ACA plans cheaper. I said it gives more options to people who feel forced to pick a plan under ACA because that's how they get their APTCs. So it would be allowing them to get a non ACA member plan for cheaper. 

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

6 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

I never said it makes ACA plans cheaper. I said it gives more options to people who feel forced to pick a plan under ACA because that's how they get their APTCs. So it would be allowing them to get a non ACA member plan for cheaper. 

Agreed.

We both agree that it doesn't help anyone who can only afford ACA plans.  It does help people who can afford the premium plans.  I've said this like 3 times now.

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

Just now, Ron_Artest said:

Agreed.

We both agree that it doesn't help anyone who can only afford ACA plans.  It does help people who can afford the premium plans.  I've said this like 3 times now.

no we do not agree.  It would help people who can only afford ACA plans BECAUSE IT LETS THEM SPEND THE MONEY DIRECTLY ON A PLAN WITH WHATEVER INSURANCE PROVIDER THEY WANT, NOT JUST THE ONES WHO PARTICIPATE IN ACA

your stupidity is honestly astonishing

 

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

On 11/16/2025 at 7:45 PM, Ron_Artest said:

Can one of you magas explain to me how it's different?  The govt paying the insurance companies vs the government paying us who then pays the insurance companies?

He's the dumbest person alive.

You asked someone to explain to you how paying the people is different than paying the insurance companies.  I gave you an example.  The end. 

 

We get it, you hate Trump. Have you provided any information that shows rich people who can already afford to buy whatever health insurance plan they want will be receiving direct payments to use on healthcare?  If that is the case, then I would not be in favor of that....  but that was not your question.

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

7 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

no we do not agree.  It would help people who can only afford ACA plans BECAUSE IT LETS THEM SPEND THE MONEY DIRECTLY ON A PLAN WITH WHATEVER INSURANCE PROVIDER THEY WANT, NOT JUST THE ONES WHO PARTICIPATE IN ACA

your stupidity is honestly astonishing

 

Calm down Sally.  Try and use your brain here.

Why would someone not want an ACA plan?  Maybe because they want a better plan, right?  And do you think the better plan will be more or less expensive?  I'm sure we can agree more, right?  So we're helping people afford the better plans, right?  And the people who can afford the better plans can do so because they have more money than those that can't, right?

So again, it doesn't help anyone who can only afford ACA plans.  It does help people who can afford the premium plans.  I've said this 4 times now.

[Ron_Artest 2,285]

9 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

You asked someone to explain to you how paying the people is different than paying the insurance companies.  I gave you an example.  The end. 

 

We get it, you hate Trump. Have you provided any information that shows rich people who can already afford to buy whatever health insurance plan they want will be receiving direct payments to use on healthcare?  If that is the case, then I would not be in favor of that....  but that was not your question.

Yes, thank you for your example.  I didn't think about that so I appreciate the perspective.  I was only focused on the people that can only afford ACA plans, and we agree it doesn't help them at all.

[WhiteWonder 2,938]

25 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said:

Calm down Sally.  Try and use your brain here.

Why would someone not want an ACA plan?  Maybe because they want a better plan, right?  And do you think the better plan will be more or less expensive?  I'm sure we can agree more, right?  So we're helping people afford the better plans, right?  And the people who can afford the better plans can do so because they have more money than those that can't, right?

So again, it doesn't help anyone who can only afford ACA plans.  It does help people who can afford the premium plans.  I've said this 4 times now.

if you want APTC, you are forced to pick a plan from a provider that participates in ACA.  If APTC was effectively paid directly to you, you could then use it for any plan from any insurance provider you want.  It expands your options.  I've explained this repeatedly.  How is giving more choices to those who qualify for APTC not a good thing?  How is it not different than the current structure? 

you tried to act like paying the people is no different because they just have to turn around and pay the insurance company anyway... but you forgot that the people receiving government aid have limited choices and that government aid only goes to insurance providers that participate.