Jennifer Sullivan
@jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social
Director of Health Coverage Access @centeronbudget. Long-time ACA enrollment enthusiast. Aspiring Bake Off champion. Views expressed are my own.
New KFF poll results: Health care is a top affordability worry, and two-thirds of those surveyed say Congress did the wrong thing not extending the ACA marketplace premium tax credit enhancements. www.kff.org/public-opini...
January 29, 2026 at 2:39 PM
New KFF poll results: Health care is a top affordability worry, and two-thirds of those surveyed say Congress did the wrong thing not extending the ACA marketplace premium tax credit enhancements. www.kff.org/public-opini...
Excellent thread from my colleague @zoeneuberger.bsky.social on why WIC is so critical for the health of new and expecting parents and young children. Check out the full paper for all the details!
For 50 years #WIC has been improving the health & development of new & expecting parents & young children by providing nutritious foods & vital services. It’s an example of government at its best. We compiled research on WIC’s effectiveness. Key findings↓ www.cbpp.org/wicworks
WIC Works: A Cost-Effective Investment in Improving Low-Income Families’ Nutrition and Health
Sound investments that reduce early childhood adversity can improve physical and mental health for a lifetime.[2] Extensive research finds that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,...
www.cbpp.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Excellent thread from my colleague @zoeneuberger.bsky.social on why WIC is so critical for the health of new and expecting parents and young children. Check out the full paper for all the details!
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
President Trump’s one-page health care plan not only fails to extend enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs), more than doubling out-of-pocket premiums on the ACA marketplace. It also cuts PTCs even further by changing how existing cost-sharing reductions are funded. (1/3) tinyurl.com/37x7wbcz
January 15, 2026 at 9:17 PM
President Trump’s one-page health care plan not only fails to extend enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs), more than doubling out-of-pocket premiums on the ACA marketplace. It also cuts PTCs even further by changing how existing cost-sharing reductions are funded. (1/3) tinyurl.com/37x7wbcz
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
This “affordability” framework for a second reconciliation bill (i.e. a “Second Big Beautiful Bill”) follows the same structure as its predecessor:
1.)Making it harder for Americans to afford health care, food & groceries.
2.)Tax cuts for rich people. 🧵
1.)Making it harder for Americans to afford health care, food & groceries.
2.)Tax cuts for rich people. 🧵
🐘📈 Republicans in the House have started about a second party-line reconciliation package.
In other words: A "One Big Beautiful Bill 2.0."
The Republican Study Committee put out its framework for a bill.
Here is everything in it, and how much it costs or saves on th3e federal budget:
In other words: A "One Big Beautiful Bill 2.0."
The Republican Study Committee put out its framework for a bill.
Here is everything in it, and how much it costs or saves on th3e federal budget:
Republican Study Committee reconciliation proposals
Figures in red represent increases to the national debt over 10 years, and in teal represent savings.
datawrapper.dwcdn.net
January 13, 2026 at 10:09 PM
This “affordability” framework for a second reconciliation bill (i.e. a “Second Big Beautiful Bill”) follows the same structure as its predecessor:
1.)Making it harder for Americans to afford health care, food & groceries.
2.)Tax cuts for rich people. 🧵
1.)Making it harder for Americans to afford health care, food & groceries.
2.)Tax cuts for rich people. 🧵
The House passed a measure today to extend the Premium Tax Credit enhancements for three years. The bipartisan vote shows there’s strong support for immediate action to make millions of people’s health care more affordable. All eyes are now on the Senate. x.com/JakeSherman/...
January 8, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The House passed a measure today to extend the Premium Tax Credit enhancements for three years. The bipartisan vote shows there’s strong support for immediate action to make millions of people’s health care more affordable. All eyes are now on the Senate. x.com/JakeSherman/...
This week, the House is expected to vote on a bill to extend the Premium Tax Credit enhancements. This would reduce 2026 premiums for the average #ACA marketplace enrollee by more than half, improving affordability for millions of people struggling with health costs. www.cbpp.org/research/hea...
Marketplace Enrollees In Every Congressional District Face Steep Premium Increases Unless Tax Credit Enhancements Are Extended
Annual premium increase, 60-year-old couple with income of $85,000 (401% FPL), by congressional district, 119th Congress Note: FPL = federal poverty level. Examples are based on 2026 average...
www.cbpp.org
January 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This week, the House is expected to vote on a bill to extend the Premium Tax Credit enhancements. This would reduce 2026 premiums for the average #ACA marketplace enrollee by more than half, improving affordability for millions of people struggling with health costs. www.cbpp.org/research/hea...
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
"As more than 20M people face imminent spikes in their health care premiums, House Republicans passed a bill today that does nothing to address this health care affordability crisis." -
@sharonparrott.bsky.social
Full statement on House Republican health care bill: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
@sharonparrott.bsky.social
Full statement on House Republican health care bill: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
Congressional Republicans Fail to Help Millions Afford Health Care
Congressional Republicans could have followed through on their promises to help families afford the basics by extending the premium tax credit enhancements to help them enroll in affordable, comprehen...
www.cbpp.org
December 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
"As more than 20M people face imminent spikes in their health care premiums, House Republicans passed a bill today that does nothing to address this health care affordability crisis." -
@sharonparrott.bsky.social
Full statement on House Republican health care bill: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
@sharonparrott.bsky.social
Full statement on House Republican health care bill: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
While they are very different bills, the points below also apply to the health bill the House Republicans will offer for a vote tomorrow. In the meantime, 20 million people face skyrocketing premiums in less than three weeks if the premium tax credit enhancements are allowed to expire.
December 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
While they are very different bills, the points below also apply to the health bill the House Republicans will offer for a vote tomorrow. In the meantime, 20 million people face skyrocketing premiums in less than three weeks if the premium tax credit enhancements are allowed to expire.
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
The House Republicans’ response to expiring premium tax credit enhancements simply doesn’t respond to expiring PTC enhancements.
Instead, they recycle old Republican policy priorities and do nothing to address the impending marketplace affordability crisis.
Instead, they recycle old Republican policy priorities and do nothing to address the impending marketplace affordability crisis.
House Republican Health Care Bill Fails to Address Marketplace Affordability
The health bill House Republicans are preparing to bring to the floor this week not only fails to prevent imminent premium spikes for more than 20 million people in marketplace plans, but would raise....
www.cbpp.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The House Republicans’ response to expiring premium tax credit enhancements simply doesn’t respond to expiring PTC enhancements.
Instead, they recycle old Republican policy priorities and do nothing to address the impending marketplace affordability crisis.
Instead, they recycle old Republican policy priorities and do nothing to address the impending marketplace affordability crisis.
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
This week is critical for health coverage affordability. CBPP’s @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social breaks down what’s at stake as Congress votes on extending premium tax credit enhancements & the 3 key dates marketplace enrollees need to know when choosing 2026 coverage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QY5...
3 Key Dates to Keep in Mind When Choosing Your Health Coverage Plan for 2026
YouTube video by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This week is critical for health coverage affordability. CBPP’s @jenniferlsullivan.bsky.social breaks down what’s at stake as Congress votes on extending premium tax credit enhancements & the 3 key dates marketplace enrollees need to know when choosing 2026 coverage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QY5...
21 days stand between real people and devastating premium increases for the ACA marketplace coverage. People like Tracy are facing impossible choices. Congress still has time to pass a clean extension that would solve this problem.
Tracy, 57, from GA, received this notice showing her #ACA marketplace premium rising from $82 to $1,616/month if premium tax credit enhancements expire — nearly a $19k increase next year. For her, that means choosing between coverage and essentials.
December 10, 2025 at 7:53 PM
21 days stand between real people and devastating premium increases for the ACA marketplace coverage. People like Tracy are facing impossible choices. Congress still has time to pass a clean extension that would solve this problem.
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
A recent WSJ op-ed reaches the wrong conclusion about a GAO report on #ACA marketplaces. The report details vulnerabilities that call for targeted action – it doesn’t show widespread fraud, and it shouldn’t be used as an excuse to raise ppl’s premiums. tinyurl.com/4rnrpkt2
December 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A recent WSJ op-ed reaches the wrong conclusion about a GAO report on #ACA marketplaces. The report details vulnerabilities that call for targeted action – it doesn’t show widespread fraud, and it shouldn’t be used as an excuse to raise ppl’s premiums. tinyurl.com/4rnrpkt2
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
It’s back to the future as Trump and congressional Republicans push for more health accounts and high deductibles.
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/trump-health-accounts-hsa-cash-patient-debt-high-deductible-insurance/
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/trump-health-accounts-hsa-cash-patient-debt-high-deductible-insurance/
Trump's Idea for Health Accounts Has Been Tried. Millions of Patients Have Ended Up in Debt. - KFF Health News
Republican calls to give Americans cash instead of health insurance subsidies double down on a decades-old strategy of moving people into high-deductible plans with health savings accounts.
kffhealthnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It’s back to the future as Trump and congressional Republicans push for more health accounts and high deductibles.
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/trump-health-accounts-hsa-cash-patient-debt-high-deductible-insurance/
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/trump-health-accounts-hsa-cash-patient-debt-high-deductible-insurance/
Sens Cassidy and Crapo are circulating a health proposal that would do little to address the premium spikes millions of ACA marketplace enrollees will face starting Jan 1, and would further increase many people’s out of pocket costs for health care over time. www.axios.com/2025/12/08/s...
Scoop: Senate GOP chairs circulate health plan as ACA subsidies hang in the balance
Two key Republican chairmen circulated the plan as the GOP struggles to unite around health policies.
www.axios.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Sens Cassidy and Crapo are circulating a health proposal that would do little to address the premium spikes millions of ACA marketplace enrollees will face starting Jan 1, and would further increase many people’s out of pocket costs for health care over time. www.axios.com/2025/12/08/s...
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
Sweeping federal policy changes are threatening people's access to affordable health coverage and care — but state insurance regulators and other state leaders can help stem the damage. A new report from NAIC consumer representatives explains how:
NAIC Consumer Representative Report: Recommendations for States’ Efforts to Mitigate Harms Caused by Federal Policy Actions - Consumer Health Reps at NAIC
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Sweeping federal policy changes are threatening people's access to affordable health coverage and care — but state insurance regulators and other state leaders can help stem the damage. A new report from NAIC consumer representatives explains how:
New HHS data on ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026 so far suggest a similar number of ppl have selected a plan compared to last year even as they see higher premium costs that reflect expiration of PTC enhancements. But don't make too much if it.
Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot | CMS
Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot
www.cms.gov
December 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
New HHS data on ACA marketplace enrollment for 2026 so far suggest a similar number of ppl have selected a plan compared to last year even as they see higher premium costs that reflect expiration of PTC enhancements. But don't make too much if it.
Proposals to address expiring PTC enhancements should be evaluated based on the extent to which they:
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
How to Evaluate Proposals to Address Expiring Premium Tax Credit Enhancements
With just weeks to go until the premium tax credit (PTC) enhancements expire — which would increase Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees’ annual premiums by more than $1,000 on average...
www.cbpp.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Proposals to address expiring PTC enhancements should be evaluated based on the extent to which they:
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
1. avoid making more people uninsured;
2. ensure people keep access to affordable, comprehensive coverage; and
3. can take effect quickly.
More here: www.cbpp.org/blog/how-to-...
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
Instead of a clean extension of PTC enhancements (which makes silver plans more affordable), some Republicans have proposed encouraging people to buy down to less generous bronze plans.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
December 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Instead of a clean extension of PTC enhancements (which makes silver plans more affordable), some Republicans have proposed encouraging people to buy down to less generous bronze plans.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
Don’t be fooled: While bronze plans often have lower premiums, people face much higher costs when they get care.
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
ACA marketplace plans w/ $0 premiums help ppl get & stay covered. Recent Republican proposals would require minimum premiums or fail to extend premium tax credit enhancements based on the false claim that ppl who don’t use medical care are “phantom enrollees.” 🧵https://tinyurl.com/4uc68zbf
People With Low Incomes May Lose $0 Premium Plans — a Lifeline — Unless Congress Acts
Without congressional action, PTC enhancements will expire at the end of 2025. This will cause millions —many of these lowest-income enrollees especially — to become uninsured, or to face impossible c...
tinyurl.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
ACA marketplace plans w/ $0 premiums help ppl get & stay covered. Recent Republican proposals would require minimum premiums or fail to extend premium tax credit enhancements based on the false claim that ppl who don’t use medical care are “phantom enrollees.” 🧵https://tinyurl.com/4uc68zbf
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
Reports that the White House is working on a proposal to extend premium tax credit enhancements shows the Administration is acknowledging the urgent need to address premium spikes for millions of marketplace enrollees. But big questions remain.🧵
November 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reports that the White House is working on a proposal to extend premium tax credit enhancements shows the Administration is acknowledging the urgent need to address premium spikes for millions of marketplace enrollees. But big questions remain.🧵
My colleague @nicolerapfogel.bsky.social summarizes the latest GAO report on health savings accounts. HSAs simply aren't a good fit for people with low incomes or serious health conditions.
The GAO released a report last week on health savings accounts (HSAs) reaffirming that HSAs do little to help people with low and moderate incomes – who would be hurt the most if Congress lets premium tax credit enhancements expire.
GAO-25-107480, HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: Information on Features and Use,
and Characteristics of Account Holders
files.gao.gov
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
My colleague @nicolerapfogel.bsky.social summarizes the latest GAO report on health savings accounts. HSAs simply aren't a good fit for people with low incomes or serious health conditions.
Some recent Republican responses to the marketplace premium tax credit issue would shift more people to bronze plans with Health Savings Accounts as an alternative to silver plans with PTC enhancements and cost sharing reductions. So how do these plans stack up in real terms?
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Some recent Republican responses to the marketplace premium tax credit issue would shift more people to bronze plans with Health Savings Accounts as an alternative to silver plans with PTC enhancements and cost sharing reductions. So how do these plans stack up in real terms?
Reposted by Jennifer Sullivan
Here they go again: Republicans in Congress are reviving the ACA repeal debate. After enacting unprecedented cuts to Medicaid, they are looking for ways to eliminate federal premium tax credits that some help about 20M people afford marketplace plans.
November 20, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Here they go again: Republicans in Congress are reviving the ACA repeal debate. After enacting unprecedented cuts to Medicaid, they are looking for ways to eliminate federal premium tax credits that some help about 20M people afford marketplace plans.
My colleague @nicolerapfogel.bsky.social talked with CQ this week about why Republican HSA and cash account proposals are no substitute for extending the soon-to-expire PTC enhancements that more than 20 million ACA marketplace enrollees rely on to keep coverage affordable.
As I told CQ, the Republican HSA and other cash account proposals are no real alternative to extending PTC enhancements and won't make health coverage more affordable.
“These proposals are somewhat unserious. They lack the details, they're unclear on the mechanisms, they don't make policy sense.”
“These proposals are somewhat unserious. They lack the details, they're unclear on the mechanisms, they don't make policy sense.”
CQ NEWS House GOP not ready to embrace Senate’s health account idea
Republicans, who had been unified on the need to reopen the government, seemed less united Wednesday on the next step — how to address the upcoming health care subsidy cliff.
plus.cq.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 PM
My colleague @nicolerapfogel.bsky.social talked with CQ this week about why Republican HSA and cash account proposals are no substitute for extending the soon-to-expire PTC enhancements that more than 20 million ACA marketplace enrollees rely on to keep coverage affordable.
Making decisions about ACA marketplace coverage for 2026 is complicated, since the PTC enhancements that expire in Dec haven't yet been extended. We created a running list of FAQs to answer ?s about deadlines, automatic re-enrollment, and more. www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/marketplace-...
Marketplace Open Enrollment for 2026 - Beyond the Basics
Updated November 10, 2025 1. What are premium tax credits (PTCs)? Premium tax credits, also known as PTCs, help individuals and families with low and
www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Making decisions about ACA marketplace coverage for 2026 is complicated, since the PTC enhancements that expire in Dec haven't yet been extended. We created a running list of FAQs to answer ?s about deadlines, automatic re-enrollment, and more. www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/marketplace-...