| Hello John, It’s true. Even progressives are coming to the stark realization that Obamacare has not lived up to its lofty promises. Indeed, it has clearly made things worse. You may have seen this recent op-ed in The Washington Post, written by a progressive, that paints a grim picture of the impact Obamacare has had on our health care system. It is worth quoting at length. Consider that, from 2000 to 2020, egg prices fluctuated between just under $1 and about $3 a dozen; they reached $6.23 in March but then fell to $3.77 in June. Average gas prices, after seesawing between $2 and $4 a gallon for more than a decade starting in 2005, peaked at $4.93 in 2022, and are now back to just over $3. Meanwhile, since 1999, health insurance premiums for people with employer-provided coverage have more than quadrupled … For many people who have the kind of insurance plans created by the Affordable Care Act, rates have probably risen even more drastically. When Obamacare was being considered by Congress, President Barack Obama promised that if we passed his bill, health insurance premiums for the average American family would decline by $2,500. Not just for those on Obamacare, but for everybody. We now know the folly of that promise: Instead of going down, health insurance premiums have skyrocketed. Since 2014, the average family insurance premium has increased 54%, and it is predicted that premiums will go up another 9% this year (inflation is running just a little over 2%). For 2026, the premium increases requested by insurance companies in some locales will range from 21% to 66%. No one can afford that. Luckily, there are alternatives to more government control of health care. The One Big Beautiful Bill represents meaningful progress toward a more personalized system that funds patients, not the bloated health care industry. By taking financial control from government and health insurance companies and giving it to patients, the OBBB lets millions more Americans make the health care decisions that work best for them and their families. At the center of that are health savings accounts, or HSAs. HSAs are tax-advantaged savings accounts that allow individuals to save and pay for qualified medical expenses. Contributions are: - Tax-deductible,
- Funds grow tax-free, and
- Withdrawals for medical expenses are also tax-free, offering a “triple tax advantage.”
Right now, only those with high-deductible health plans qualify for HSAs — only about 20% of Americans. Having an HSA effectively lets you stretch your health care dollars and gives you more choice and control over your personal medical decisions. Here is how the One Big Beautiful Bill improves health care for millions of Americans. - First, the OBBB will make all bronze and catastrophic plans on the Obamacare marketplace eligible for HSA contributions beginning in 2026. Under current law, most bronze plans have an annual out-of-pocket maximum too high to qualify for an HSA.
- Second, the OBBB will allow HSA funds for direct primary care arrangements. And DPC arrangements will no longer be treated as a health insurance plan, so users could contribute to their HSA, which is currently illegal.
With DPC, doctors operate on a monthly retainer rather than insurance coverage — think of it as sort of a Netflix subscription for health care. DPC means less red tape, less paperwork, and more time for real connections with patients. Together, these changes will allow millions more Americans to enjoy the powerful benefits of an HSA. Indeed, the DPC provision alone would expand HSA access to 75 million Americans. These reforms form the foundation of a Personal Option in health care — a system that prioritizes choice, control, and affordability for all Americans. They will: - Empower patients and help reduce inflation,
- Lower deficits, and
- Offer relief from soaring medical costs.
Stay tuned for additional updates on how the OBBB is making a difference. In the meantime, lawmakers need to hear from you — whether they supported the bill or not. Send your message today to show them the American people are paying attention — and expect them to stand strong for efforts to reduce government’s role in health care! | 
