This is the best OEP ever for the ACA for several reasons:
The expanded/enhanced premium subsidies first introduced in 2021 via the American Rescue Plan, which make premiums more affordable for those who already qualified while expanding eligibility to millions who weren't previously eligible, are continuing through the end of 2025 via the Inflation Reduction Act;
A dozen states are either launching, continuing or expanding their own state-based subsidy programs to make ACA plans even more affordable for their enrollees;
100,000 or more DACA recipients are finally eligible to enroll in ACA exchange plans & receive financial assistance!
In my post about the U.S. Senate vote to end the federal government shutdown last week, I concluded that:
I'll have a lot more to say about this "HSAs for All" silliness which Trump & Sen. Cassidy are suddenly pitching, but in the meantime, whether you think 8 of them voting for the CR Sunday night was the right thing to do or not, once they did so, shifting the national dialogue back to healthcare policy (where Dems are strongest and Republicans are weakest) and the Epstein Files is probably the best outcome Democrats could've realistically hoped for from that point forward.
Almost every day since the, various Republican House & Senate members have underscored my point:
ST. PAUL, Minn.—MNsure, Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace, assures UCare members that their health plans through MNsure will not change in coverage or cost for plan year 2026.
Medica has announced a definitive agreement to acquire individual and family health plans from UCare, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health plan. This is a change for the individual market, but MNsure assures consumers that their coverage remains unchanged and will not be interrupted.
For consumers who are currently enrolled in a 2025 UCare private plan:
There are no changes to coverage.
They can continue to access care as usual.
As long as they have paid their premiums, current coverage goes through December 31, 2025.
For consumers who have selected a 2026 UCare private plan through MNsure:
Americans for a Balanced Budget released the findings of a national survey of 800 likely voters on November 18, 2025, conducted by pollster John McLaughlin of McLaughlin & Associates, across 16 GOP-held battleground districts rated Toss Up or Lean Republican by the Cook Political Report.
A haruspex was a person trained to practice a form of divination called haruspicy in the religion of ancient Rome, the inspection of the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the livers of sacrificed sheep and poultry.
I realize I'm a little late to the party on this, but nine days ago, Donald Trump posted one of his online rants in response to the then-ongoing government shutdown standoff in the U.S. Senate, which was primarily focused on the imminent expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits:
In all the (understandable) panic & controversy over the enhanced ACA tax credits expiring just 6 weeks from today, I wanted to take a quick moment to note that the 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums & Deductible increases have been formally published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
On November 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2026 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.
Medicare Part A Premium and Deductible
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation, and some home health care services. Approximately 99% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment, as determined by the Social Security Administration.
I was up to my ears in data crunching over the entire weekend working on my deep dive into the 14 states with Premium Alignment pricing in place for 2026, so I haven't had a chance to chime in on Sunday evening's Continuing Resolution vote in the U.S. Senate until now.
After enough of them held out for 40 days and 14 votes (I think) to prevent the House Republican version of the CR bill from passing & the federal government from re-opening, 7 Democratic Senators and 1 Dem-caucusing Independent finally agreed to vote for a modified Senate version of the bill...none of whom, by what I'm sure is sheer coincidence, are up for re-election next year (2 are retiring; the other 6 aren't up again until either 2028 or 2030, and one of them will likely retire before then anyway).
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald today issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about common health insurance scams as 2026 open enrollment begins through the NY State of Health Marketplace. Health insurance scams spike during open enrollment periods, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and DOH are providing consumers with tips to protect themselves against potential scams.
“As health care costs skyrocket and federal support hangs in the balance, access to affordable health insurance is more important than ever,” said Attorney General James. “We cannot allow predatory scammers to swindle New Yorkers out of their hard-earned money. I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and contact my office if they believe they are the target of a scam or fraud. My office will always work to hold bad actors and fraudsters accountable.”
