Once upon a time, way back in the ancient times of 2007, there was a filmmaker known as Michael Moore who made a little picture called Sicko. In it he exposed the horrific condition of America's healthcare system.
You can watch it if you like on Mr. Moore's YouTube channel. It's free. I certainly recommend it.
He really should make a sequel though because you know what, not only has nothing changed, it's actually worse in my opinion.
Alright, let's get to it. Today was the day I designated as "Marketplace Day." Every freakin' year, I have to slate out a full morning, afternoon or evening of several hours of uninterrupted computer time to select my new health plan for the coming year. Why so much time and anxiety? Several reasons, and especially accentuated THIS YEAR while we're under the added burden of this government shutdown which has everyone losing their fucking shit right now! But the government, or I guess lack of an open one right now, is only one of your concerns when dealing with insurance. The insurance companies themselves try, every fucking year, to slip you a fucking mickey when you're not looking!
Here's a cropped selection from nice letter I got in the mail yesterday from my current healthcare plan provider:
Now mind you, this shit isn't new. It's not because of the shutdown or even the "reduction" in Tax Credits available to Marketplace eligible candidates based on income due to the "Covid supplements running out." I put these catch phrases in quotes since they've been bandied around alot lately in both legit news and social media and I'll circle back to them in a minute, but this tactic of scaring us "po' folk" with this astronomical figure is part of their switch and bait. I'll explain in a sec, first let me get back to those quoted catch phrases:
"Reduction" in Tax Credits due to "Covid supplements running out." Sadly, a lot of the blame for this scare tactic is from the left, they want the public to think that the Republicans are immediately at the forefront of the cause for any increases Marketplace Tax Credit beneficiaries may see right away in their premiums. This doesn't help their cause except in the short-sighted short term (that is, this election cycle, ie. Today in many municipalities) They hope this will cause a blue wave to send a message. But in fact, increases in premiums this go 'round (for 2026) will be fully at the hands of only the insurance companies themselves raising rates, not the Tax Credits being reduced. I'll provide proof of that in a minute in my case. The Covid rider is still in effect through 2026 no matter what. It is however in jeopardy beyond that which is one of the sticking points for the Dems and thus a big cause of the shutdown.
For instance, in the letter above, you see that Ambetter has raised the plan rate from a monthly premium of $1,092.99 in 2025 to $1,476.86 in 2026 which, if my Tax Credit (which actually last year amounted to a smidge more but since that's a net zero they throw that out in this equation) stayed the same, I'd be looking at an out-of-pocket payment of $383.87. So that's all on their huge increase which is highway robbery if you ask me. But, of course, the Tax Credit ALWAYS increases with the cost of living each year so, of course, it wouldn't remain the same...and they know that. But then when us "po' folk" do find out what we get in benefits and assess the difference, well then, that insurance company rate hike doesn't seem so bad now does it?
In my case, here's my new Tax Credits and the summary of the same plan I have continued to next year:
The only no-cost per month plan available had doctor visit co-pays, higher labs costs and, the real decider, way higher prescription costs to the tune of some $600/year just for the ones I have now. Oh, and again, I only have Ambetter offered to me. It seems all other insurance providers are WAY out of range.
So yes, my costs did go up, even with the increase in Tax Credits, but that's on the insurance companies. They're the ones who hiked the rates up some 30% or so. Did inflation go up 30%? What's their rationale? Is it 'cause they just could fucking get away with it so why the fuck not?
Calling Michael Moore to pick up his cameras again. STAT!
EDIT: Oh, BTW, enjoy your boogaloo while you can billionaires of NYC, there's a new mayor in town and he's gonna tax your ass off.
