Democrats plot messaging blitz ahead of Obamacare hikes

[progree]

1. "... highlight the Nov. 1 date when Americans must choose to purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Ac

appearances to highlight the Nov. 1 date when Americans must choose to purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace with higher premiums or forgo it altogether,

ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE...

Millions face ‘huge sticker shock’ when ACA open enrollment starts Nov. 1, CNBC, 10/31/25
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/31/aca-open-enrollment-starts-enhanced-subsidies.html

During open enrollment, consumers pick their health plans for the coming year.

While open enrollment generally lasts through Jan. 15, there’s a Dec. 15 deadline to ensure coverage starts at the beginning of 2026.

(emphasis added)

What the media has been warning is that a lot of people will see their 2026 ACA premiums for the first time on Nov. 1 -- while the enhanced premium tax credits are in limbo -- if those aren't renewed, the out-of-pocket premiums will be much higher than the ones on the websites Nov.1 , at least that's my understanding from what I've read before. But the CNBC article makes it sound like the premiums being displayed will assume no extension of the enhanced premium tax credits. Even with enhanced premium tax credits, premiums are expected to increase substantially -- again from what I've read elsewhere.

Congress has yet to extend the enhanced subsidies that make insurance premiums cheaper for about 22 million of the 24 million Americans who buy insurance over the ACA exchanges.

Recipients’ health premiums are set to increase by 114% in 2026, on average ((that's a bit more than a doubling -progree)), without the enhanced subsidies, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group.

Certain enrollees, such as early retirees with modest incomes, face much larger increases, health experts said.
As things stand, enhanced subsidies will expire.

Prospective enrollees in an ACA marketplace plan should pick their 2026 health insurance coverage with this in mind, Cox said. In other words, don’t pick a plan based on the expectation that Congress will extend the enhanced subsidies, she said.

However, she recommends enrollees pay close attention to the news. If Congress reaches a deal, enrollees should come back and look again, because their options and costs may have changed, Cox said.

“If it were me, I’d probably make a note on my calendar to shop over Thanksgiving or in early December,” with an eye to the Dec. 15 deadline, Cox said.

Luckily, the open enrollment period offers relative flexibility, Burks said.

Consumers can pick a plan and select another plan later within the open enrollment period without consequence, he said.