News Brief: ACA Subsidy Deadline & Republican Alternatives
Summary
Enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits are set to expire at year’s end, threatening significant premium hikes for millions. Republicans are proposing alternatives like direct Health Savings Account payments, but Congress faces a tight deadline to act before most enrollees’ December 15 sign-up deadline for 2026 coverage.
Key Points
- Impending “Subsidy Cliff”: Enhanced ACA tax credits, which cap premium costs at 8.5% of income for middle-class enrollees, expire December 31. Without renewal, many face drastic premium increases for 2026.
- Republican Proposals: GOP alternatives focus on direct cash payments via “Health Freedom Accounts” (HSAs) and changing the subsidy benchmark to cheaper, high-deductible Bronze plans to reduce government costs.
- Tight Legislative Clock: Congress has less than a month after the Thanksgiving recess to reach a deal. Implementing a new HSA-based system by January 1 is seen as highly challenging.
- Enrollee Deadline: The majority must enroll for 2026 coverage by December 15 (January 31 in some states). Experts advise signing up regardless of congressional action to avoid being locked out.
- Real-World Impact: A Florida couple earning $86,000 could see their Bronze plan premium jump from $0/month (with credits) to over $2,100/month (without credits).
新闻简报：ACA补贴截止日期与共和党替代方案
摘要
《平价医疗法案》（ACA）的增强型保费税收抵免将于年底到期，可能导致数百万参保人的保费大幅上涨。共和党人提出了如直接健康储蓄账户付款等替代方案，但国会在大多数参保人12月15日的2026年保险注册截止日期前采取行动的时间窗口非常紧迫。
关键点
- 迫在眉睫的“补贴悬崖”： 为中等收入参保者将保费成本限制在收入8.5%的增强型ACA税收抵免将于12月31日到期。若不延期，许多人在2026年将面临保费急剧上涨。
- 共和党提案： 共和党的替代方案侧重于通过“健康自由账户”（HSA）进行直接现金支付，并将补贴基准改为更便宜、高免赔额的“青铜”计划，以降低政府成本。
- 紧迫的立法时间： 国会感恩节休会后只有不到一个月的时间达成协议。在1月1日前实施新的基于HSA的系统被认为极具挑战性。
- 参保人截止日期： 大多数人必须在12月15日前（某些州为1月31日）注册2026年保险。专家建议无论国会行动如何都应先注册，以避免被拒之门外。
- 现实影响： 佛罗里达州一对收入8.6万美元的夫妇，其“青铜”计划保费可能从0美元/月（有抵免）飙升至超过2100美元/月（无抵免）。
Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/republicans-push-obamacare-tax-credit-alternatives-as-deadline-looms.html