Louise Norris
@louisenorris.bsky.social
Health policy analyst. Health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, health care reform. I write for healthinsurance.org, medicareresources.org, Verywell.com, and healthinsurancecolorado.net. She/Her
Pinned
Louise Norris
@louisenorris.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Get affordable health insurance & expert insights | healthinsurance.org
It's Open Enrollment! Explore affordable health insurance options, get quotes for individual & family ACA Marketplace plans, calculate your subsidy, and learn about trends affecting coverage.
healthinsurance.org
Good morning, Bluesky folks! A big welcome to all my new followers, & a reintroduction:
I'm a health policy analyst, writing mostly at healthinsurance.org & medicareresources.org. I've been a licensed insurance broker since 2003, writing full-time about health insurance & health policy since 2008.
I'm a health policy analyst, writing mostly at healthinsurance.org & medicareresources.org. I've been a licensed insurance broker since 2003, writing full-time about health insurance & health policy since 2008.
Reposted by Louise Norris
Here is my latest for @msnbc.com, on Trump's ill-advised concept of a plan for health care, which entails repealing the ACA, and redistributing private insurers' tax breaks to the people for what would essentially amount to an HSA, which is unhelpful if not wealthy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Trump’s new plan for Obamacare leaves Americans to fend for themselves
We finally know what “concepts of a plan” looks like – and it’s not good.
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Here is my latest for @msnbc.com, on Trump's ill-advised concept of a plan for health care, which entails repealing the ACA, and redistributing private insurers' tax breaks to the people for what would essentially amount to an HSA, which is unhelpful if not wealthy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by Louise Norris
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
Reposted by Louise Norris
For those wondering why I posted a thread about this last night, this is why.
There's a LOT of people who seem to think that either a) the entire ACA is ending or b) ALL of the ACA tax credits are expiring. NEITHER IS THE CASE.
There's a LOT of people who seem to think that either a) the entire ACA is ending or b) ALL of the ACA tax credits are expiring. NEITHER IS THE CASE.
Do all ACA subsidies expire or only the enhanced subsidies passed post-COVID expire on 12/31/25? Asking for my adult kids, who both get insurance from ACA.
November 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
For those wondering why I posted a thread about this last night, this is why.
There's a LOT of people who seem to think that either a) the entire ACA is ending or b) ALL of the ACA tax credits are expiring. NEITHER IS THE CASE.
There's a LOT of people who seem to think that either a) the entire ACA is ending or b) ALL of the ACA tax credits are expiring. NEITHER IS THE CASE.
Reposted by Louise Norris
Oh dear god.
THAT’S what he’s pushing?
HSAs are a good thing; we use one ourselves.
However, they’re only useful if you have a few thousand dollars you can set aside to put into the account and leave it there. You can’t use it for anything else and there’s a stiff penalty for withdrawing it.
THAT’S what he’s pushing?
HSAs are a good thing; we use one ourselves.
However, they’re only useful if you have a few thousand dollars you can set aside to put into the account and leave it there. You can’t use it for anything else and there’s a stiff penalty for withdrawing it.
Lindsey #Graham of South Carolina, Rick #Scott of Florida and Bill #Cassidy of Louisiana welcomed a proposal made on social media early Saturday by Donald #Trump, from his golf course in West Palm Beach, for subsidies to be replaced by health savings accounts
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Senate Republicans embrace Trump’s call – from his Florida golf course – to replace Obamacare
Amid a historic government shutdown, some senators on Capitol Hill are working this weekend on an unpopular bill
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Oh dear god.
THAT’S what he’s pushing?
HSAs are a good thing; we use one ourselves.
However, they’re only useful if you have a few thousand dollars you can set aside to put into the account and leave it there. You can’t use it for anything else and there’s a stiff penalty for withdrawing it.
THAT’S what he’s pushing?
HSAs are a good thing; we use one ourselves.
However, they’re only useful if you have a few thousand dollars you can set aside to put into the account and leave it there. You can’t use it for anything else and there’s a stiff penalty for withdrawing it.
The future of Marketplace subsidy enhancements is still up in the air. But if the #subsidycliff is allowed to come back, avoiding it will mean the difference between affordable and unaffordable coverage. Here's how HSA (and IRA) contributions can help: www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/how-mig...
How might my tax deductions affect the size of my ACA premium subsidy?
Learn how your tax-deductible contributions — such as an IRA, HSA, or self-employed health insurance deduction — might lower your MAGI and boost your Affordable Care Act premium tax credit on the Mark...
www.healthinsurance.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:40 PM
The future of Marketplace subsidy enhancements is still up in the air. But if the #subsidycliff is allowed to come back, avoiding it will mean the difference between affordable and unaffordable coverage. Here's how HSA (and IRA) contributions can help: www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/how-mig...
Continuing my quest to highlight how essential it is for Congress to extend the Marketplace subsidy enhancements: Without an extension, a 60-year-old in Portland, Maine, earning $63k, will go from paying $283/month for the cheapest plan, to $1,059/month: www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
Maine ACA Health Insurance Marketplace
Explore the ACA health insurance Marketplace in Maine for 2026 coverage. Discover available plans, eligibility requirements, enrollment dates, and how to apply for coverage.
www.healthinsurance.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Continuing my quest to highlight how essential it is for Congress to extend the Marketplace subsidy enhancements: Without an extension, a 60-year-old in Portland, Maine, earning $63k, will go from paying $283/month for the cheapest plan, to $1,059/month: www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
Reposted by Louise Norris
@louisenorris.bsky.social, health insurance analyst at healthinsurance.org, provides insights into how individuals should approach open enrollment this year with the uncertainty of subsidy enhancements.
Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health care marketplaces began Nov. 1, and some insurance premiums have skyrocketed due to congressionally approved enhanced premium tax credits expiring. https://to.pbs.org/47K6lHG
4 tips for navigating higher ACA health care premiums
As Americans shop for health insurance after the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, experts advise people to not panic, stay vigilant and budget more for health care next year,
www.pbs.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:33 PM
@louisenorris.bsky.social, health insurance analyst at healthinsurance.org, provides insights into how individuals should approach open enrollment this year with the uncertainty of subsidy enhancements.
Here's a good overview, from @xpostfactoid.bsky.social explaining all the different average premium increase percentages that are being thrown around for 2026: xpostfactoid.substack.com/p/trumps-cms...
Trump's CMS's battle cry: Let em eat bronze!
Bronze plans, garnished with HSAs
xpostfactoid.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Here's a good overview, from @xpostfactoid.bsky.social explaining all the different average premium increase percentages that are being thrown around for 2026: xpostfactoid.substack.com/p/trumps-cms...
KFF most certainly did not retract that projection (114% increase in average net premiums). The only way that changes is if Congress extends the subsidy enhancements.
FWIW, take a look at the numbers in WV for applicants just a little above 400% of FPL: www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
FWIW, take a look at the numbers in WV for applicants just a little above 400% of FPL: www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
October 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
KFF most certainly did not retract that projection (114% increase in average net premiums). The only way that changes is if Congress extends the subsidy enhancements.
FWIW, take a look at the numbers in WV for applicants just a little above 400% of FPL: www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
FWIW, take a look at the numbers in WV for applicants just a little above 400% of FPL: www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
A 63-year-old couple in Barboursville, WV, earning $85k, will pay 43% of their income for the CHEAPEST Marketplace plan in 2026 if Congress doesn't extend the subsidy enhancements. The lowest-cost Silver plan premiums will eat up 74% of their income. www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
West Virginia ACA Health Insurance Marketplace
Explore the ACA health insurance Marketplace in West Virginia for 2026 coverage. Discover available plans, eligibility requirements, enrollment dates, and how to apply for coverage.
www.healthinsurance.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
A 63-year-old couple in Barboursville, WV, earning $85k, will pay 43% of their income for the CHEAPEST Marketplace plan in 2026 if Congress doesn't extend the subsidy enhancements. The lowest-cost Silver plan premiums will eat up 74% of their income. www.healthinsurance.org/aca-marketpl...
Reposted by Louise Norris
Lots of changes to be aware of for 2026 if you buy your own health insurance. Here's my summary ⬇️
Higher premiums and the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies top the list of 10 major changes that will affect Marketplace open enrollment for 2026 health insurance. | @louisenorris.bsky.social breaks it all down in this open enrollment preview.
2026 ACA open enrollment period preview
Higher premiums and the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies top the list of 10 major changes that will affect Marketplace open enrollment for 2026 health insurance.
www.healthinsurance.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Lots of changes to be aware of for 2026 if you buy your own health insurance. Here's my summary ⬇️
Reposted by Louise Norris
This is interesting --- for the 2055 counties that used Healthcare.gov in 2025 AND 2026
Fewer counties are offering #Catastrophic Plans in 2026
CMS is making a big push for more people to buy Catastrophic
Only affordable if enhanced subsidies not extended.
@colemandrake.bsky.social
1/N
Fewer counties are offering #Catastrophic Plans in 2026
CMS is making a big push for more people to buy Catastrophic
Only affordable if enhanced subsidies not extended.
@colemandrake.bsky.social
1/N
October 29, 2025 at 1:51 PM
This is interesting --- for the 2055 counties that used Healthcare.gov in 2025 AND 2026
Fewer counties are offering #Catastrophic Plans in 2026
CMS is making a big push for more people to buy Catastrophic
Only affordable if enhanced subsidies not extended.
@colemandrake.bsky.social
1/N
Fewer counties are offering #Catastrophic Plans in 2026
CMS is making a big push for more people to buy Catastrophic
Only affordable if enhanced subsidies not extended.
@colemandrake.bsky.social
1/N
Lots of changes to be aware of for 2026 if you buy your own health insurance. Here's my summary ⬇️
Higher premiums and the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies top the list of 10 major changes that will affect Marketplace open enrollment for 2026 health insurance. | @louisenorris.bsky.social breaks it all down in this open enrollment preview.
2026 ACA open enrollment period preview
Higher premiums and the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies top the list of 10 major changes that will affect Marketplace open enrollment for 2026 health insurance.
www.healthinsurance.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Lots of changes to be aware of for 2026 if you buy your own health insurance. Here's my summary ⬇️
My look at how premiums will jump next year for a 55-year-old earning a little above 400% FPL, in the ten states projected to have the highest overall premiums: www.healthinsurance.org/blog/how-sun... (Thanks to @charlesgaba.com for his extensive work projecting overall average premiums nationwide)
How sunsetting ARP's subsidy enhancements would affect ACA subsidy amounts
What will happen to Marketplace health insurance subsidy availability and size when the subsidy enhancements instituted under the American Rescue Plan sunset after 2025?
www.healthinsurance.org
October 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
My look at how premiums will jump next year for a 55-year-old earning a little above 400% FPL, in the ten states projected to have the highest overall premiums: www.healthinsurance.org/blog/how-sun... (Thanks to @charlesgaba.com for his extensive work projecting overall average premiums nationwide)
"If you are spreading doubts and fears about vaccines and about mRNA research, you are killing people who could benefit." www.science.org/content/blog...
mRNA Vaccines and Immuno-oncology: Good News
www.science.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"If you are spreading doubts and fears about vaccines and about mRNA research, you are killing people who could benefit." www.science.org/content/blog...
This is a crisis for people who earn a little more than 400% of FPL. These are middle-class people who are self-employed or working for small businesses. Some of them will be facing premiums that amount to HALF THEIR ANNUAL INCOME if the subsidy enhancements aren't extended.
How Marketplace health plan buyers with incomes over 400% of the federal poverty level could face dramatic increases in health insurance premium expenditures if enhanced subsidies expire at the end of this year |
@louisenorris.bsky.social explains
#aca #obamacare #subsidies
@louisenorris.bsky.social explains
#aca #obamacare #subsidies
‘Subsidy cliff’ will return in 2026 if Congress doesn’t act
If Congress doesn’t extend enhanced Marketplace subsidies, hundreds of thousands of Marketplace enrollees will face the return of the so-called “subsidy cliff.”
www.healthinsurance.org
October 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
This is a crisis for people who earn a little more than 400% of FPL. These are middle-class people who are self-employed or working for small businesses. Some of them will be facing premiums that amount to HALF THEIR ANNUAL INCOME if the subsidy enhancements aren't extended.
For people who buy their own health insurance & earn a little more than 400% of FPL, the "subsidy cliff" is coming back if Congress doesn't extend the subsidy enhancements.
Here's why people could be paying more than 1/2 their income for health insurance: www.healthinsurance.org/blog/subsidy...
Here's why people could be paying more than 1/2 their income for health insurance: www.healthinsurance.org/blog/subsidy...
‘Subsidy cliff’ will return in 2026 if Congress doesn’t act
If Congress doesn’t extend enhanced Marketplace subsidies, hundreds of thousands of Marketplace enrollees will face the return of the so-called “subsidy cliff.”
www.healthinsurance.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
For people who buy their own health insurance & earn a little more than 400% of FPL, the "subsidy cliff" is coming back if Congress doesn't extend the subsidy enhancements.
Here's why people could be paying more than 1/2 their income for health insurance: www.healthinsurance.org/blog/subsidy...
Here's why people could be paying more than 1/2 their income for health insurance: www.healthinsurance.org/blog/subsidy...
Reposted by Louise Norris
🚨 NEW: Which insurers are bailing on #ACA exchanges *altogether* next year?
At least 1.6 MILLION current enrollees will have to scramble to find another carrier (if they can afford coverage without the expanded tax credits at all):
h/t @louisenorris.bsky.social
acasignups.net/25/10/20/whi...
At least 1.6 MILLION current enrollees will have to scramble to find another carrier (if they can afford coverage without the expanded tax credits at all):
h/t @louisenorris.bsky.social
acasignups.net/25/10/20/whi...
Which carriers are bailing on ACA exchanges altogether in 2026?
Every year, even when the ACA is running smoothly, there are always changes in market participation, as different insurance carriers enter or exit the individual market in certain states or either exp...
acasignups.net
October 20, 2025 at 8:10 PM
🚨 NEW: Which insurers are bailing on #ACA exchanges *altogether* next year?
At least 1.6 MILLION current enrollees will have to scramble to find another carrier (if they can afford coverage without the expanded tax credits at all):
h/t @louisenorris.bsky.social
acasignups.net/25/10/20/whi...
At least 1.6 MILLION current enrollees will have to scramble to find another carrier (if they can afford coverage without the expanded tax credits at all):
h/t @louisenorris.bsky.social
acasignups.net/25/10/20/whi...
Reposted by Louise Norris
How can gig workers – such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers – get health insurance coverage?
@louisenorris.bsky.social explains the coverage options.
www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/how-can...
@louisenorris.bsky.social explains the coverage options.
www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/how-can...
How can gig workers – such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers – get health insurance coverage?
Learn how gig workers – such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers – can get comprehensive health insurance coverage, and how the ACA provides income-based financial assistance for premiums and cost-sha...
www.healthinsurance.org
October 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
How can gig workers – such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers – get health insurance coverage?
@louisenorris.bsky.social explains the coverage options.
www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/how-can...
@louisenorris.bsky.social explains the coverage options.
www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/how-can...
If you feel like a deep dive into why the projected average Marketplace premium increase (if subsidy enhancements aren't extended) jumped from 75% to 114% this week, read this from @xpostfactoid.bsky.social xpostfactoid.substack.com/p/way-worse-...
*Way* worse than forecast: How did KFF's estimate of pending ACA premium increases rise from 75% to 114%?
Ravages of time -- and ravages of Trump's CMS
xpostfactoid.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
If you feel like a deep dive into why the projected average Marketplace premium increase (if subsidy enhancements aren't extended) jumped from 75% to 114% this week, read this from @xpostfactoid.bsky.social xpostfactoid.substack.com/p/way-worse-...
Extending the subsidy enhancements is essential to keeping health coverage affordable for self-employed people & folks who work for small businesses that don't offer group coverage. These are hard-working Americans (you must have income to get Marketplace subsidies), whose coverage is at risk.
Four in ten who buy their own coverage say they would go without coverage if ACA premiums doubled. They will increase 114% if enhanced tax credits are not extended: on.kff.org/4nACyIk
October 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Extending the subsidy enhancements is essential to keeping health coverage affordable for self-employed people & folks who work for small businesses that don't offer group coverage. These are hard-working Americans (you must have income to get Marketplace subsidies), whose coverage is at risk.
An updated look at state-by-state rules for Medigap access when a Medicare beneficiary is under age 65: www.medicareresources.org/medicare-eli...
Medigap eligibility rules for Americans under age 65 vary by state | medicareresources.org
There are no federal rules guaranteeing access to Medigap plans for enrollees under age 65, but states can create their own rules to ensure that disabled Medicare beneficiaries are able to enroll in s...
www.medicareresources.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM
An updated look at state-by-state rules for Medigap access when a Medicare beneficiary is under age 65: www.medicareresources.org/medicare-eli...
Reposted by Louise Norris
“Two weeks after a federal committee of vaccine advisers approved new recommendations for who should get Covid-19 shots, neither Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nor his deputy have signed off, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income children.”
Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay
Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.
www.statnews.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:45 AM
“Two weeks after a federal committee of vaccine advisers approved new recommendations for who should get Covid-19 shots, neither Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nor his deputy have signed off, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income children.”
Talking about benefits for undocumented immigrants gets people riled up. But the federal government has never funded coverage for undocumented immigrants. Nothing is changing about that.
Cutting Medicaid & not extending ACA subsidy enhancements harms U.S. citizens. But that doesn't poll well.
Cutting Medicaid & not extending ACA subsidy enhancements harms U.S. citizens. But that doesn't poll well.
It's striking that the primary Republican talking point against the Democratic proposal to restore Medicaid and ACA cuts is that it would give health care to undocumented immigrants, which isn't true. There isn't a broader defense of the cuts.
October 2, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Talking about benefits for undocumented immigrants gets people riled up. But the federal government has never funded coverage for undocumented immigrants. Nothing is changing about that.
Cutting Medicaid & not extending ACA subsidy enhancements harms U.S. citizens. But that doesn't poll well.
Cutting Medicaid & not extending ACA subsidy enhancements harms U.S. citizens. But that doesn't poll well.
Reposted by Louise Norris
It's striking that the primary Republican talking point against the Democratic proposal to restore Medicaid and ACA cuts is that it would give health care to undocumented immigrants, which isn't true. There isn't a broader defense of the cuts.
October 2, 2025 at 2:26 AM
It's striking that the primary Republican talking point against the Democratic proposal to restore Medicaid and ACA cuts is that it would give health care to undocumented immigrants, which isn't true. There isn't a broader defense of the cuts.