Healthcare Under Threat
The state of health care in the United States is perilous as Republicans cut funding to pay for tax cuts for the richest among us.
Many have access to private health care insurance through their employer or purchase it privately—an imperfect solution at best. Health insurance providers profit from the policies they sell. Many are traded on the stock exchange.
Other citizens qualify for subsidized health care coverage through enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, (Obama Care or the Affordable Care Act) which currently 22 million people participate.
To assure the ‘affordable’ part, premium tax credits are available for those who qualify based on income. This benefit expires at the end of 2025.
In an attempt to protect our healthcare benefits, Democrats are demanding that these tax credits be extended to avoid an estimated 20 million people experiencing increased premiums costs or deductibles (according to the CBO). GOP cuts will leave many uninsured or underinsured.
Many citizens will forgo preventive treatments to save money, ending up in the emergency room or in urgent care when conditions reach unbearable levels. The expense of treating preventable conditions through emergency room visits is extremely high. These costs will be absorbed by the hospital, urgent care, clinic and physicians—and eventually to all of us.
CALL TO ACTION: CONTACT REP. BAUMGARTNER, 202-225-2006 AND TELL HIM TO EXTEND HEALTHCARE BENEFITS!
Health care is available to seniors and low-income households through Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicare primarily covers people who are over 65 years of age. It is federally administered. Medicaid covers low income people, children and other disabled people. It is funded both federally and by state. CHIP is a benefit that provides health coverage to eligible children whose family’s income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, and too low to purchase insurance individually (CMS.gov).
Monthly premiums are projected to increase in 2026. Medicare part B monthly premium is expected to increase from 185.00 to 206.00. Washington is one of 6 states that are trialing preauthorization for a limited number of procedures.
nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/medicare-prior-approval-health-care
Enrollment periods are approaching. If currently enrolled in Medicaid, the period of time during which you can evaluate and make changes to your coverage (according to program restrictions) is Oct. 15–Dec. 7. The Market Place (ACA) enrollment period will run from Nov. 1, 2025–Jan. 15, 2026. Information about government funded healthcare can be found at HealthCare.gov.
Enrollment periods are also used by many private insurance carriers. This may vary, check with your carrier. Expert advice can be found through a number of insurance agencies in Walla Walla.
By Frances Chvatal