👴👵 Older Adults Face Tough Choices as ACA Subsidies Expire (AARP Article/Advocacy)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

People ages 50 to 64 are struggling to afford health care coverage — and consider going without — as their monthly premiums skyrocket.

By Miriam Cross, AARP. Published December 24, 2025.

ReShonda Young’s Affordable Care Act health insurance helped pay for testing and diagnosis of her breast cancer last year.

“The ACA has been a lifesaver,” she says.

The 50-year-old small-business owner paid $94 per month for her gold-tier plan in 2025. But as she prepared to enroll for 2026, she saw that the monthly premiums would shoot up to $592. That’s a 500 percent increase.

“I can’t go without, but I can’t afford to pay the premiums at basically $600 per month,” she says.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/aca-subsidies-affect-real-people/

[GailL1]

We have to remember that the affected people are those who are making ABOVE 400% of the FPL - those are the ones that got the enhanced premium tax credits for those covid years.  The plan all along was that these would sunset - they were extended once with a new sunset date of 12/31/2025 - I’d say that the program should be put back to the way it was for those at this income level.

As I was reading through each of these personal examples, I began to wonder what these folks, potential Medicare beneficiaries when the time comes, think Medicare cost.  I have a feeling that some of them are gonna have a real surprised waiting for them especially if they have been earning over 400% of the FPL and will reap a nice retirement benefit their Social Security retirement.  Hopefully, they have also saved a bit more to help them out in retirement.  

Part A - premium free for most beneficiaries that have worked for many years and paid into the system.  But who knows since Part A is in financial trouble.

Part B - most pay in 2026 a premium for Part B of  $ 202.90 and this will only increase in the years leading up to their 65th birthday.

Part D - premium can be very low or higher based on one’s needs and type of  coverage needed for their meds. Then their portion of the meds cost up to the OOP limit of $ 2100 in 2026.

Original Medicare - an optional Medigap plan, or something that acts as a supplemental plan,  to cover what Original Medicare does not cover.  OR NO Medigap or no other coverage and just pay out of pocket. (disaster waiting to happen) Who knows what this cost will be for this optional coverage by the time they are ready to sign up for Medicare.

Part C or Medicare Advantage plan - “0” to low premiums for this option of how to get their Medicare benefits but then there are networks, copays, coinsurance, deductibles that have to be covered.

Please folks (like the ones in the article) do some planning for the $$$$ coverage when you get on Medicare. 

Healthcare is a part of life - paying for it is also a part of life, one way or another - plan accordingly.  The poor or very low income are taken care of by Medicaid.  The higher income can pay their premiums for the plan of their choice and pay the whatever connected cost.  

That leaves the majority of the beneficiaries, in the middle income,  having to make financial plans for their Medicare cost.  

I really do think we need to start giving classes on financial planning in high school at the latest.  Somehow, I just don’t think people are ready for retirement for the long term - we may live 20 / 30 or more years in retirement - that’s a lot of saving for the needs/

[Winter2025VA]

Gail @GailL1 , the cost attached to medical care is enough to push me to take care of myself. Glad I "woke" up in my 30's. Yes, I tell my only child to take care of herself NOW. Some of the OLD AGE issues can be avoided IF we start "early" to make lifestyle changes. Some we are stuck with. Now this is just my usual 1/2 cent = NOT seeking approval as we all have opinions. Nicole 😉