| Hello John, The government shutdown is over. Democrats failed in their quest to force Republicans to spend another $400 billion to extend inflated Obamacare subsidies meant to help Americans get through Covid. But they haven’t given up yet. Here’s the problem: In the process of ending their shutdown stunt, Democrats did manage to extract a promise to allow a Senate floor vote on a $40 billion, one-year Obamacare insurer handout. The vote will take place in early December. Meanwhile, President Trump has called their bluff by suggesting a better idea. Instead of extending the Covid-era subsidies, which go straight to “money-sucking insurance companies,” why not just give some of that money “directly to the people, so they can purchase their own, much better health care.” Amen. Why not? But Democrats won’t hear of it, and they aren’t giving up. They’re determined to bail out Obamacare (with our tax dollars) at all costs. If the Biden-era handouts aren’t extended, they say, enrollees will see significant increases in their health insurance premiums. Not so fast. Here are the facts: - According to Paragon Health Institute, only 3.3% of the projected 2026 Obamacare premium increases are related to the expiration of the temporary Covid-era inflated subsidies.
- And since, in Obamacare, most of the premium is paid for by the taxpayers, not the insured person, most enrollees will not see a large increase in their out-of-pocket costs, contrary to Democrats’ hyperbolic claims.
So, what is driving the insane premium increases we’ve been reading about? Here are three big reasons: - Surging general medical costs across the entire health care system. Health care is not immune to the inflation that is affecting nearly every sector of the economy. In fact, over the past few decades, medical inflation has outpaced the Consumer Price Index by a good distance.
- The accelerating health care industry consolidation — which creates what are essentially regional monopolies. These large systems have enormous power to dictate prices, and they use it to keep prices high.
- The introduction of expensive new lifesaving drugs, devices, and therapies also keep prices climbing.
Here’s the bottom line: It is these macroeconomic forces, not the small decrease in subsidy payments, that are causing higher premiums for consumers. And the sad fact is, Obamacare is making things worse. And here’s how Obamacare makes it more complicated: As originally designed, Obamacare required enrollees to contribute some share of their premiums to ensure value and limit costs. But that balance was thrown out the window during the pandemic when Congress not only increased the amount of Obamacare subsidies but made them available to every American over 100% of the federal poverty level — including millionaires. These changes largely eliminated meaningful enrollee contributions, with almost half paying nothing at all. It is these changes that Democrats want to make permanent. All this “free” health care spawned massive enrollment fraud, including 12 million phantom enrollees who never use their coverage and may not even be aware they are enrolled. But insurers still get paid to cover them! By creating an illusion of affordability (with our tax dollars), Obamacare’s inflated Covid subsidies have masked these underlying issues within the health care system. And by hysterically opposing the idea of going back to the Obamacare of five years ago, Democrats are implicitly admitting that their Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has utterly failed to deliver affordable care. One thing is for sure. Pumping hundreds of billions more dollars into a failed Obamacare system is not the answer. The only way to bring prices down and improve quality is to put patients — not the government or insurance companies — in control of their own health care spending. As Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) recently put it: “If you’re going to support anybody with a subsidy, then you should give it to them in cash and let them be a health care buyer” instead of sending the money straight to an insurance company. That’s where the Personal Option comes in. It would: - Offer every American the option of a tax-free Health Savings Account that they could use to make the health care arrangements that work best for them and their families.
- Eliminate government barriers that prevent Americans from accessing innovative coverage arrangements like direct primary care, which lets you pay a flat monthly subscription for primary care services with trusted doctors and offers deep drug discounts.
But here’s the best part: No insurance company or government middleman. More choice means more control, strengthening competition and driving down costs as health care providers compete for your business. The Personal Option empowers you to choose who you trust with your health care decisions, delivering customized, affordable care for every American. 🩺 Ready to take charge of your health? Visit the Personal Option website today to learn more about the only health care plan that puts you in control! ✍️ And please sign our petition to Congress supporting a Personal Option! | 
