Her stature with the president and with those around him was really only going one direction, and that was down. Hey everybody, and welcome to Here's the Scoop from NBC News. I'm Yasmin Vossoughian.Today on the show, hospital costs have been outpacing inflation for years, and patients, they're sinking in medical debt. The latest report from our Unaffordable America series. But first though, in a Truth Social post today, President Trump said that Attorney General Pam Bondi would be {quote} transitioning to a ...

Nearly one in 10 people who had Affordable Care Act plans have dropped health insurance after the expiration of federal subsidies drove up costs, a new survey shows https://t.co/8PgdO4CVQP ...

Nearly a third of those enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans last year have left the market after costs rose sharply. https://t.co/o25awv7QRY ...

Core Viewpoint - The healthcare market is expected to normalize in 2026, presenting a buying opportunity for health insurance stocks that have seen significant declines in 2025 due to rising healthcare costs and other challenges [1][2]. Group 1: Oscar Health - Oscar Health has experienced a decline of over 60% in stock value, attributed to fears over expiring subsidies and rising healthcare costs, leading to losses [2][6]. - The company has grown its insurance membership from 400,000 in 2020 to 3.4 million as of February 2026, indicating strong market share growth despite current challenges [6]. - Revenue is projected to increase from $11.7 billion in 2025 to as high as $19 billion in 2026, with operating earnings expected to range from $250 million to $450 million, making the current stock price attractive given its market cap of $3.6 billion [7]. Group 2: UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealth Group's stock has decreased by 53.6% from its highs, facing multiple headwinds including cybersecurity issues and legal challenges [2][8]. - The company anticipates generating $439 billion in revenue and $24 billion in operating earnings in 2026, supported by rate repricings for customer premiums [10]. - Trading at a market cap of approximately $266 billion, UnitedHealth is valued at just over 10 times its expected operating income, suggesting potential for significant growth in the coming years [11].

Core Viewpoint - The discussion revolves around the implications of trade agreements, particularly the USMCA, and the economic policies under the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong trade relationships within North America while addressing concerns about China's influence in trade. Trade Agreements and Economic Stability - The US, Canada, and Mexico are highlighted as the largest trading partners for the U.S., surpassing Europe and Asia, indicating the critical nature of these relationships for economic stability [3] - Concerns are raised about Canada and Mexico potentially engaging in trade agreements with China, which could undermine U.S. economic and national security interests [6][7] Job Market and Economic Policies - The January jobs report is presented as a positive indicator of the Trump economy, with a significant reduction in federal employment leading to more available workers in the private sector [8][9] - The shift in job creation towards the healthcare sector is noted, with a significant portion of these jobs being government-related, raising questions about the sustainability of this growth [10][13] Healthcare Industry Concerns - The healthcare sector's dependency on government funding, particularly Medicare and Medicaid, is highlighted as a growing concern, with these programs consuming over a quarter of the federal budget [13] - Criticism is directed at the Affordable Care Act, suggesting it has not achieved its intended goals of reducing costs, and advocating for a free market approach in healthcare [14][16]

The Affordable Care Act tax credits were a key benefit for farmers, small business owners and freelancers hoping to keep health care costs affordable. MS NOW: My Source for News, Opinion, and the World. Same mission. New name. » Subscribe to MS NOW: https://www.youtube.com/@msnow MS NOW is the go-to destination for domestic and international breaking news, and best-in-class opinion journalism. For more context and news coverage of the most important stories of our day click here: https://www.ms.now/ #ACA #f ...

Barack Obama’s signature achievement, the Affordable Care Act, might not have passed without Harry Reid’s skilful negotiation. A new book remembers the life of the late Senate majority leader https://t.co/OhNty5Kdfl ...

THE PRESS NOW. I'M KELLY O'DONNELL IN WASHINGTON, WHERE THE WHITE HOUSE APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING STRATEGY AMID THE GROWING FALLOUT AND PUBLIC OUTRAGE AFTER DEADLY SHOOTINGS BY FEDERAL OFFICERS IN MINNEAPOLIS. RIGHT NOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON THE GROUND IN IOWA, WHERE HE'S SET TO SPEAK ON HIS ECONOMIC AGENDA AS THE WHITE HOUSE TRIES TO PULL THE HEADLINES BACK TO THE PRESIDENT'S AFFORDABILITY AGENDA AND AWAY FROM THE BACKLASH OVER HIS IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN MINNEAPOLIS.WE WILL BRING YOU THE PRESIDENT'S REMARK ...

HCA Healthcare shares gained after the hospital operator’s better-than-expected guidance eased investor concerns about expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies https://t.co/h7AuRa9EBq ...

Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group plans to rebate profits from Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance coverage to customers in 2026, as stated by CEO Stephen Hemsley [1] - The company provides insurance to approximately 1 million individuals enrolled in ACA plans across 30 states [1] Group 1: Legislative Context - A House committee is investigating insurance affordability, with Hemsley among five insurance CEOs scheduled to testify on January 22 [2] - The expiration of COVID-19-era tax credits has led to a significant increase in ACA insurance costs for millions of Americans [2][3] - The House of Representatives voted on January 8 to extend enhanced subsidies for three additional years, but the Senate is less likely to approve this measure [4] Group 2: Financial Impact - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that extending the subsidies would increase the federal budget deficit by $80.6 billion by 2035 [4] - Following the expiration of enhanced tax credits, average costs for 22 million Americans receiving subsidized ACA insurance more than doubled in January [3] Group 3: Consumer Challenges - Many consumers are struggling to afford rising ACA insurance costs, leading some to cut household expenses or drop coverage altogether [5] - The CBO projects that 3.8 million Americans may lose health insurance by 2035 due to the expiration of enhanced subsidies [5] Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Hemsley advocates for Congress to broaden consumer choice by making catastrophic ACA plans eligible for tax credits, which would provide younger and healthier consumers with more affordable options [6] - He also suggests standardizing health insurance broker compensation for ACA plans to prevent brokers from steering consumers toward higher-commission plans rather than those that best meet individual needs [7]