Health Care Costs: A Hard Hit for Three Families

In the coming year, three families are bracing for a tough financial hit due to rising health care costs. The end of COVID-era subsidies is forcing them to make tough choices. In Wisconsin, a couple who once enjoyed comprehensive health coverage is now facing a stark reality. Chad and Kelley Bruns, both retirees, are downsizing their insurance plan. Their gold-level plan, which cost them just $2 a month, is now priced at $1, 600. This forces them to switch to a bronze plan with a hefty $15, 000 deductible. Kelley worries about the financial risk if they face a medical emergency. The new out-of-pocket maximum is nearly half their joint income, leaving them vulnerable. In Michigan, the Roof family is considering going without insurance altogether. Dave and Kristin Roof, both self-employed, have relied on ACA insurance since 2014. But with subsidies ending, their premiums are set to rise from $500 to $700 a month. The increased costs are just too much for them to handle. They are already living frugally, and skipping insurance is their only option. The stress of this decision weighs heavily on them. In Nevada, a single mom is struggling to make ends meet. Katelin Provost, a social worker, is already stretching her budget to cover basic needs. Next year, her insurance premium is jumping from $85 to nearly $750 a month. She plans to pay this higher cost for January and reassess afterward, hoping Congress will extend the subsidies. If not, she will have to drop her own coverage to keep her daughter insured. The financial strain is already affecting her holiday plans. These families are not alone. Millions of Americans are facing similar challenges as the enhanced tax credits expire. The Senate's rejection of proposals to extend these credits means higher costs for many. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for affordable health care in the United States.