'A $43,000 health insurance premium': How the end of ACA subsidies is squeezing insurers, consumers

Healthcare Policy & Affordability - The expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies will cause insurance premiums to increase for 22 million Americans [1] - Approximately 24 million people are covered by Affordable Care Act policies (also known as Obamacare) [2] - Enhanced subsidies going away will disproportionately affect self-employed individuals and small business owners who do not have employee coverage, with premiums more than doubling in many cases [2] - Families with ongoing medical needs, such as chronic conditions or expensive prescriptions, are struggling to afford health insurance at current costs [4] Impact on Individuals & Families - One family may have to pay an annual premium of $43,000, which is one-third (33.33%) of their gross income, to maintain health coverage for a family of four [1] - A woman diagnosed with leukemia is facing a $43,000 premium from the only insurer available to her [6] Potential Solutions & Alternatives - Options being considered include health share programs, short-term policies, and a proposed emergency catastrophic plan called "bear care" in Wyoming, but none of these are adequate solutions for some families [7] Political & Public Sentiment - Individuals feel let down by the government due to rising costs and the inability to fix the healthcare system [5] - People are complaining to their representatives about the healthcare situation [9][10]