How Expanded Obamacare Made Premiums Spiral, Americans Dependent

Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by passing the American Rescue Plan Act in early 2021. This $1.9 trillion spending bill was intended to provide relief and spark an economic recovery. Among other provisions, the law expanded the availability of government-subsidized health care through the Obamacare Marketplace to help low- to middle-income people maintain health coverage until the economy normalized. The measure brought millions of middle-class Americans into Obamacare, but had the unintended consequence of making many of them dependent on government aid. The law also introduced temporary, enhanced subsidies, which raised Obamacare premiums, some observers say. Though the enhanced subsidies expired on Dec. 31, 2025, Congress continues to debate their possible reinstatement....