There is little question that affordability will dominate the 2026 midterms and that is most true on healthcare. Learn more on the issue as well as on the prospects for a possible Exchange subsidy compromise.
About The Podcast:
Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage.
Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change.
Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American healthcare.
Marc seeks to help Americans become wiser consumers and navigate the healthcare maze with more confidence and certainty through The Healthcare Labyrinth website and his book of the same name.
Marc is an unconventional Republican who believes that affordable universal access is a wise and prudent investment. He recommends common-sense solutions to reform American healthcare.
Tune in every week as Marc examines the latest developments in the space, offering analysis, insights, and predictions on the changing state of healthcare in America.
About The Episode:
On this episode, Marc discusses that affordability will dominate the 2026 midterms and that is most true on healthcare. He also discusses the prospects for a possible Exchange subsidy compromise.
Key Takeaways:
Affordability will dominate the 2026 midterms and that is most true on healthcare.
We have seen huge price and inflation trends in healthcare since coming out of the COVID pandemic and there is little sign that the aggressive trends will subside anytime soon.
Family coverage now costs on average almost $27,000, with employees paying almost $7,000 of the upfront cost.
Medicare costs are rising by 10%.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will cause millions to lose coverage in Medicaid and the Exchanges
Premiums will surge in the Exchanges if the enhanced subsidies expire.
The GOP hopes it can pin unaffordability on the ACA of 2010, but it remains a popular law. It will also try to pass other conservative healthcare reforms.
But Democrats will point to the OBBBA as a major culprit for unaffordability and win the day.
There is at best a 50-50 shot a compromise on enhanced Exchange subsidies passes in January, but there are barriers including opposition from conservatives.
A possible grand bargain could include a shorter extension, some reforms of existing enhancements, and some conservative healthcare reforms.
If lawmakers really wanted to tackle affordability, they would implement site neutral payments, set prices for medical services and drugs, tackle the primary care crisis, and more.
Connect With Marc:
Resources:
The Healthcare Labyrinth: A Guide to Navigating Health Plans and Fixing American Health Insurance
