We want to turn now to a major piece of the affordability equation for many Americans, the cost of health care. We spent a lot of time talking about this. Congress remains divided not just on how to fix the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, but whether it even needs to happen.The president this week seemed to rule out an extension of those subsidies, even as a recent poll from the health policy research group KFF finds most Americans support Congress extending the tax credits. And a majority view th ...

The last word with Lawrence O'Donnell starts right now. Hey, Lawrence. >> Hey, Jen.Uh, Donald Trump in his uh surrender tweet tonight announcing that he was uh signing the bill uh managed to attack Hakee Jeff among others uh in that and Hakee Jeff will be here to answer that attack uh as our first guest tonight. >> I'm really looking forward to hearing that. That was quite a screed.He used a lot of words in that, Lawrence. Looking forward to hearing that. >> Okay.Thanks, Jen. >> Thanks, Lawrence. >> Thank y ...

Leading off our discussion tonight is House Democratic Leader Hakee Jeff. Uh thank you very much for joining us tonight, Leader Jeff. And I I lead in with Donald Trump there because that's the guy who House Republicans were being asked to follow, Senate Republicans were being asked to follow.Uh a guy who obviously is willing to stand up there and tell that pathological lie about a poll that absolutely never happened and a conversation that never happened. A completely invented conversation. in the kind of c ...

Obamacare Criticism - President Trump advocates for direct payments to individuals instead of subsidies to profitable insurance companies [1] - Obamacare is deemed unaffordable and irreparable, with premiums significantly increasing [6][7] - The industry argues that Obamacare consolidated the market, reducing choices for consumers [21] Proposed Healthcare Alternatives - The proposal suggests giving subsidies directly to individuals, allowing them to choose plans that suit their needs and rewarding healthy behavior [8][11] - The industry emphasizes the need for competition and choice in the healthcare market to drive down costs [21] - The industry suggests allowing insurance companies to operate across state lines to increase competition [13] Political and Policy Considerations - Republicans aim to remove politics from healthcare policy and involve professionals to create an affordable, free-choice system [18] - Democrats are criticized for using healthcare as a leverage point and for supporting a system known to be flawed [16][14] - Concerns are raised about increasing the number of uninsured individuals if Obamacare is repealed without a viable replacement [20] Profitability of Insurance Companies - The industry questions the rationale behind subsidizing insurance companies that are already highly profitable [4][5] - Some insurance company stocks have seen substantial increases, such as rising from $30 to $330 per share [5] - The industry acknowledges that well-intentioned government regulations can dampen competition and increase healthcare inflation [12][13]

United Health and Elevance lower today amid growing worries over a spike in premiums tied to the expiration of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. The change would affect millions of Americans. Let's bring in Lance Wilks who covers healthc care services stocks for Bernstein Research.Lance has got an outperform rating on United Health and Elevance. Lance, great to have you with us. >> Great to be here.First, I want to I want to get your take on on President Trump's truth social post earlier today basica ...

President Trump said he will not support legislation to extend expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies even as senators are preparing to tee up a vote on the issue, complicating his party’s efforts to address health care costs https://t.co/uVNCStB7oX ...

Government Shutdown Impact - Colorado sent $5 million to food banks due to federal delays during the shutdown [2] - Over 600,000 Colorado residents rely on SNAP benefits [1] - The state is working to ensure SNAP benefits are restored [3][4] Healthcare Costs - Rising healthcare costs are unresolved due to the end of the shutdown [4] - Lack of federal tax credits could increase individual healthcare insurance costs by as much as 200% [6] - Colorado passed a one-year stopgap, potentially limiting the increase to 100% compared to other states [7] - The federal government needs to act on healthcare [5][7] Natural Disasters - Southwestern Colorado experienced severe flooding, causing an estimated $30 million in damage, including $13 million to public infrastructure [7] - The governor requested a major disaster declaration from President Trump [8] - Colorado had a tough year with significant fire season and floods [8] Immigration - ICE is not sharing information with the state about deportations [11][12] - Hundreds or thousands of Colorado residents may have been seized or deported [12] - Deportations are tearing apart communities [12] Politics - The governor supports Ned Lamont for reelection in Connecticut [14]

Next week is a big one for the House of Representatives. Now that their weeksl long recess has ended, they might work for 5 days. The House is expected to finally vote on a measure compelling the Justice Department to release all files on the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.They're able to do that now that the 43-day government shutdown has ended. But the political battle that triggered it is far from over. funding deal reached in the US Senate to reopen the government did not deal with expiring Afforda ...

This deal includes the promise of a Senate vote next month on renewing the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. But House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to commit to a vote even if a Senate bill passes. To bypass Johnson, House Democrats plan to file a discharge petition that would extend the subsidies for three years.And that means all Democrats, in addition to four Republicans, must sign on to force a House vote. How likely is this to play out. Yeah.Well, as you know, the Senate promised that they woul ...

Healthcare Costs and Subsidies - The Senate has a December deadline to address healthcare costs, but open enrollment is already underway [1] - Individuals may delay signing up for healthcare in hopes that prices could decrease [2] - Companies ideally have a second, lower price point in case Congress acts to lower costs [3] - Approximately 92% of enrollees in the ACA marketplace receive enhanced premium subsidies [4] - Every health plan in the United States is subsidized by the federal government, with Affordable Care Act plans being the least subsidized [5] - Employer-provided health plans also receive subsidies through tax write-offs [6] Market Dynamics and Challenges - Healthcare is expensive and becoming more so due to scientific breakthroughs, blockbuster drugs, and an aging population [9] - The US healthcare system is a public-private partnership, unlike some countries where the government pays for 100% of healthcare [10] - The idea of giving people money directly to buy insurance or healthcare is criticized as lacking understanding of the insurance market, potentially pricing out or locking out older or sicker individuals [13][14]