The White House has reportedly developed a proposal on PTC enhancements, but the release date is uncertain. In the meantime, Urban researchers suggest several questions on timing, preexisting condition protections, and more to help evaluate any proposal.
Urban researchers examined the impact of laws to curb medical debt and expand access to hospital financial assistance in four states, highlighting the steps policymakers should consider to strengthen consumer protections and improve health care affordability.
If Medicare’s eligibility age were increased to age 67, 5.4 million 65- and 66-year-olds would lose Medicare. Federal spending would decline, but overall health spending would increase as these individuals shift to more-costly plans.
Children and parents together account for 4 in 10 Marketplace enrollees. With enhanced Marketplace subsidies expiring at the end of 2025 and uninsurance projected to rise, more children and parents could go without needed health care.
Researcher Jason Levitis testified before the Senate Finance Committee about how the Marketplace premium increases will significantly affect taxpayers, increasing their out-of-pocket costs, leaving millions uninsured, and disproportionately hurting small businesses, older people, and people in rural areas.
