Posted on 10/16/2025 5:44:52 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
TYLER, Texas (AP) — Celia Monreal worries every day about the cartilage loss in her husband’s knees. Not just because it’s hard for her to see him in pain but also because she knows soon their health care costs could skyrocket.
Monreal, 47, and her husband, Jorge, 57, rely on the Affordable Care Act marketplace for health coverage. If Congress doesn’t extend certain ACA tax credits set to expire at the end of the year, their fully subsidized plan will increase in cost, putting it out of reach. Without insurance, they won’t be able to afford his expected knee replacement surgeries, much less the treatment they need for other issues, like her chronic high blood pressure and his high cholesterol.
“It worries me sometimes, because if you’re not healthy, then you’re not here for your kids,” Monreal said. “It’s a difficult decision, because, OK, do I spend $500 on a doctor’s visit or do I buy groceries?”
Those are the types of choices facing the millions of Americans whose state or federal marketplace health insurance plans will be up for renewal in November. The enhanced premium tax credits that have made coverage more affordable for low- and middle-income enrollees for the last four years will expire this year if Congress doesn’t extend them. On average, that will more than double what subsidized enrollees currently pay for premiums next year, according to an analysis by health care research nonprofit KFF.
The tax credits are at the heart of the federal government shutdown, in its third week with no end in sight. Democrats have demanded the subsidies be extended as part of any funding deal they sign, while Republicans say they’ll only negotiate on the issue once the government is funded.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Here come the sob stories, right on time.
One day they’ll have do-it-yourself knee-replacement kits at Walmart.
It' the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that are set to expire.
Both Biden atrocities.
Just print a new one and pop them in.
Very sad, the dims did this.
What they did to healthcare is no different than what they did to tuition costs
If deputy Chester Goode (Gunsmoke) could ride a horse with his right leg sticking straight out, Jorge can drive his Chebby with his bad leg on the passenger seat or sticking out the window.
>You monster!
Which party put these in place and gave them an expiration date in the first place?
Which party put the underlying policy in place which has caused the premiums to increase to such a degree that these subsidies are even needed, after promising the exchanges were going to greatly *decrease* costs?
And the subsidies have absolutely *nothing* do to with this shutdown or continuing resolution - and the AP is going along with the false Dem narrative - misleading readers.
Sad. So stop providing coverage for illegal aliens who are not citizens of the USA. The Democrats won't stop the shutdown unless they're allowed to spend $1.3 trillion for coverage for non-citizens. Citizens suffer while Democrats cater to illegal aliens!
Article says their health insurance is fully subsidized. Is Jorge even a citizen?
Good points.
those subsidies were temporary during Covid.
More Mexicans whining?...that’s all our local rag profiles.
“fully subsidized plan”
Can you pay each month as much as a bag of potato chips costs?
The local supermarkets have shelves lined with things costing more than what I pay for a bag of chips [$1.50].
A 7 oz. box of Cheez-its is about $2.50 at Aldi.
I buy marked down sliced bread at Walmart, put Aldi cheese on the slices and melt the cheese in a toaster oven.
States think that pack-a-day smokers can pay ~$7/pack. That’s ~$210/month. There has been no stink made about that ~$210/month.
SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF HIS WEIGHT, ETC.
“Medicare Premium Bill....Current Premium Due...Total Amount Due $555.00 by 10/25/2025”
That’s from a document that came on the 6th.
That’s $185/month.
In about eight years Jorge will have to pay Medicare premiums.
I’ll pay over $2,000/year in Medicare premiums. In about four days the last $555/quarter will get paid.
The clock is ticking, Jorge.
The 0bama ‘Medical Insurance’ scheme is operating exactly as intended.
Never was about care, only about control.
“kids”
¡Hijo y hija, dinero para padre y madre, por favor!
Guess how many regular folks don’t get healthcare subsidies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.