James Leckie
@luckyleckie.bsky.social
Proud Marylander. I rant about things I read. Opinions are mine.
I also answer to Mister Love
I also answer to Mister Love
Reposted by James Leckie
Here's @charlesgaba.com on the Problem Solver's ACA subsidy extension bill
Hope Floats? Bipartisan House team introduces ACA enhanced tax credit extension bill which...isn't terrible!
Back in September, before the federal government shutdown, I said: At a bare, bare minimum, do not settle for a one- or two-year extension of the eAPTCs. Kicking this particular can down the road for ...
acasignups.net
November 21, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Here's @charlesgaba.com on the Problem Solver's ACA subsidy extension bill
Reposted by James Leckie
📣 Baltimore's seen a 61% drop in homicides in 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀!
Mayor Scott, State’s Attorney Bates, local leaders, and members of the community are showing the nation what putting public safety first looks like.
Through partnership, our state will keep making all of our communities safer.
Mayor Scott, State’s Attorney Bates, local leaders, and members of the community are showing the nation what putting public safety first looks like.
Through partnership, our state will keep making all of our communities safer.
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 AM
📣 Baltimore's seen a 61% drop in homicides in 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀!
Mayor Scott, State’s Attorney Bates, local leaders, and members of the community are showing the nation what putting public safety first looks like.
Through partnership, our state will keep making all of our communities safer.
Mayor Scott, State’s Attorney Bates, local leaders, and members of the community are showing the nation what putting public safety first looks like.
Through partnership, our state will keep making all of our communities safer.
Reposted by James Leckie
Narrative violation: Vermont was an independent Republic for longer than Texas.
They even had a separate negotiated peace with Britain.
They even had a separate negotiated peace with Britain.
November 21, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Narrative violation: Vermont was an independent Republic for longer than Texas.
They even had a separate negotiated peace with Britain.
They even had a separate negotiated peace with Britain.
Reposted by James Leckie
With the mini-burst of proposals to replace enhanced PTCs with spending accounts like FSAs, keep in mind that this would *absolutely wallop* older people with middle incomes—say a 63-year-old earning $65K—who are among the most dependent on enhanced PTCs. 🧵1/
November 9, 2025 at 4:20 AM
With the mini-burst of proposals to replace enhanced PTCs with spending accounts like FSAs, keep in mind that this would *absolutely wallop* older people with middle incomes—say a 63-year-old earning $65K—who are among the most dependent on enhanced PTCs. 🧵1/
Modifying the employer insurance mandate to offer cheaper premiums and cost-sharing rates according to their income would be a headache.
It'd at least make things better for people locked out of other markets though.
open.substack.com/pub/gooznews...
It'd at least make things better for people locked out of other markets though.
open.substack.com/pub/gooznews...
How employer-based health insurance fosters inequality
Most employers are charging every employee the same co-premium for the same plan. As a result, low-wage workers pay a higher share of income for coverage, which forces many into high deductible plans.
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Modifying the employer insurance mandate to offer cheaper premiums and cost-sharing rates according to their income would be a headache.
It'd at least make things better for people locked out of other markets though.
open.substack.com/pub/gooznews...
It'd at least make things better for people locked out of other markets though.
open.substack.com/pub/gooznews...
Reposted by James Leckie
One reason why any healthy democracy needs at least two relatively healthy political parties where each sometimes wins an election, and neither destroys the democratic system when it does, is that winning elections is hard.
The idea that everyone who ever lost an election is stupid is not correct.
The idea that everyone who ever lost an election is stupid is not correct.
November 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
One reason why any healthy democracy needs at least two relatively healthy political parties where each sometimes wins an election, and neither destroys the democratic system when it does, is that winning elections is hard.
The idea that everyone who ever lost an election is stupid is not correct.
The idea that everyone who ever lost an election is stupid is not correct.
You could look at any X or Y map and Maryland will just stare at you and say "Yes"
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 AM
You could look at any X or Y map and Maryland will just stare at you and say "Yes"
IMO, the intent of benchmarking premiums at the second lowest cost silver plan on the ACA marketplace was already to encourage shopping around.
Whether that be to save yourself premium dollars for cheaper insurance (and the government) or to spend more using all your own dollars.
Whether that be to save yourself premium dollars for cheaper insurance (and the government) or to spend more using all your own dollars.
November 17, 2025 at 10:54 PM
IMO, the intent of benchmarking premiums at the second lowest cost silver plan on the ACA marketplace was already to encourage shopping around.
Whether that be to save yourself premium dollars for cheaper insurance (and the government) or to spend more using all your own dollars.
Whether that be to save yourself premium dollars for cheaper insurance (and the government) or to spend more using all your own dollars.
I belong in forever fall in the Northeast imo
November 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I belong in forever fall in the Northeast imo
This kinda thing didn't happen for 5 years. It just doesn't happen with Medicare, Medcaid/CHIP, or employer coverage.
I don't think it's a good idea for it to happen to people that have to buy their own insurance.
I don't think it's a good idea for it to happen to people that have to buy their own insurance.
It means that if we earn even $1 more than 400% FPL next year ($106,600), our premium would jump from $755/month to $2,184/month....PLUS an $8K deductible & a $19K max out of pocket ceiling.
That's nearly 3x as much...or nearly 25% of our GROSS income just for the premiums.
That's nearly 3x as much...or nearly 25% of our GROSS income just for the premiums.
November 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This kinda thing didn't happen for 5 years. It just doesn't happen with Medicare, Medcaid/CHIP, or employer coverage.
I don't think it's a good idea for it to happen to people that have to buy their own insurance.
I don't think it's a good idea for it to happen to people that have to buy their own insurance.
Reposted by James Leckie
at this point, Los Angeles is the most NIMBY city in the country.
I am not a socialist myself, but give me a socialist YIMBY like Zohran or Katie Wilson over a liberal NIMBY like Karen Bass any day of the week.
I am not a socialist myself, but give me a socialist YIMBY like Zohran or Katie Wilson over a liberal NIMBY like Karen Bass any day of the week.
After failing to stop a major state housing bill from becoming law, Los Angeles leaders are turning to plan B: Delaying Senate Bill 79's implementation and pushing for unspecified legislative changes next year. My dispatch for @politico.com Pro subscribers subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Los Angeles failed to defeat a major housing law, so it's turning to Plan B: Delay, delay, delay
A report from the city planning department outlines strategies for pushing off many of the effects of SB 79 through 2030.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
at this point, Los Angeles is the most NIMBY city in the country.
I am not a socialist myself, but give me a socialist YIMBY like Zohran or Katie Wilson over a liberal NIMBY like Karen Bass any day of the week.
I am not a socialist myself, but give me a socialist YIMBY like Zohran or Katie Wilson over a liberal NIMBY like Karen Bass any day of the week.
Reposted by James Leckie
Those claiming Dems should retreat on racial justice aren't hard-headed realists, they're pushing against the electoral tide rather than leaning into it. The story of Gen Z isn't about racist backlash or red-pilled young men. It's the most racially progressive generation in American history. 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Those claiming Dems should retreat on racial justice aren't hard-headed realists, they're pushing against the electoral tide rather than leaning into it. The story of Gen Z isn't about racist backlash or red-pilled young men. It's the most racially progressive generation in American history. 🧵
Everyone should watch Death By Lightning and learn the incredibly important history of 1880s America.
Also, it's good. They kinda merged 1876 and 1880 and that's weird.
Also, it's good. They kinda merged 1876 and 1880 and that's weird.
November 14, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Everyone should watch Death By Lightning and learn the incredibly important history of 1880s America.
Also, it's good. They kinda merged 1876 and 1880 and that's weird.
Also, it's good. They kinda merged 1876 and 1880 and that's weird.
There's an economist-y response to claim people should get tax-free accounts to pay for services.
Two issues:
1) the poor are way more price sensitive
2) "tax free" discounts in progressive tax systems just throw money at people that already have the ability to pay
Two issues:
1) the poor are way more price sensitive
2) "tax free" discounts in progressive tax systems just throw money at people that already have the ability to pay
Sharing this piece from my colleague @gidlukens.bsky.social on the problems with HSAs.
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
Five Reasons Lawmakers Should Reject Expansions of Health Savings Accounts
Expanding health savings accounts (HSAs) is a key element of Republicans’ health care policy agenda. Ostensibly, HSAs allow people enrolled in certain health insurance policies to set aside money...
www.cbpp.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:38 PM
There's an economist-y response to claim people should get tax-free accounts to pay for services.
Two issues:
1) the poor are way more price sensitive
2) "tax free" discounts in progressive tax systems just throw money at people that already have the ability to pay
Two issues:
1) the poor are way more price sensitive
2) "tax free" discounts in progressive tax systems just throw money at people that already have the ability to pay
On the one hand, I love that artists are telling Ticket Master to go fuck itself.
On the other hand, if I don't get these tickets, I WOULD pay more to get them!
On the other hand, if I don't get these tickets, I WOULD pay more to get them!
November 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
On the one hand, I love that artists are telling Ticket Master to go fuck itself.
On the other hand, if I don't get these tickets, I WOULD pay more to get them!
On the other hand, if I don't get these tickets, I WOULD pay more to get them!
Reposted by James Leckie
Democrats didn't funnel subsidy dollars directly to insurers because of their great love for industry. It's just the approach that's most user-friendly and administratively efficient.
November 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Democrats didn't funnel subsidy dollars directly to insurers because of their great love for industry. It's just the approach that's most user-friendly and administratively efficient.
Reposted by James Leckie
Sharing this piece from my colleague @gidlukens.bsky.social on the problems with HSAs.
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
Five Reasons Lawmakers Should Reject Expansions of Health Savings Accounts
Expanding health savings accounts (HSAs) is a key element of Republicans’ health care policy agenda. Ostensibly, HSAs allow people enrolled in certain health insurance policies to set aside money...
www.cbpp.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Sharing this piece from my colleague @gidlukens.bsky.social on the problems with HSAs.
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
Some books I really should read
...
...
November 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Some books I really should read
...
...
Personally, I think alternatives to the ACA worth exploring are national insurance (actually existing Medicare for All), Medicare for All, or Medicaid for All (Canada).
I think an NHS would never be well-funded in the US and I think Singapore's model (HSAs) suck.
But that's just me.
I think an NHS would never be well-funded in the US and I think Singapore's model (HSAs) suck.
But that's just me.
Alternative models to the ACA:
1) the NHS/socialized medicine
2) National health insurance with private supplement (Medicare, France, South Korea, etc) [OOP max sold separately?]
3) Medicaid for all (Canada if no private opt out, otherwise Australia?)[state-run, little to no OOP max, networks?]
1) the NHS/socialized medicine
2) National health insurance with private supplement (Medicare, France, South Korea, etc) [OOP max sold separately?]
3) Medicaid for all (Canada if no private opt out, otherwise Australia?)[state-run, little to no OOP max, networks?]
November 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Personally, I think alternatives to the ACA worth exploring are national insurance (actually existing Medicare for All), Medicare for All, or Medicaid for All (Canada).
I think an NHS would never be well-funded in the US and I think Singapore's model (HSAs) suck.
But that's just me.
I think an NHS would never be well-funded in the US and I think Singapore's model (HSAs) suck.
But that's just me.
FWIW, this is for a 35yo making $62K/year in VA paying the full cost of the plan.
Plans like this are somewhat common in Switzerland with a higher OOP max here.
I think with some asteriks, the ACA functions like the Swiss model. If you think this is bad, emulate something else.
Plans like this are somewhat common in Switzerland with a higher OOP max here.
I think with some asteriks, the ACA functions like the Swiss model. If you think this is bad, emulate something else.
November 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
FWIW, this is for a 35yo making $62K/year in VA paying the full cost of the plan.
Plans like this are somewhat common in Switzerland with a higher OOP max here.
I think with some asteriks, the ACA functions like the Swiss model. If you think this is bad, emulate something else.
Plans like this are somewhat common in Switzerland with a higher OOP max here.
I think with some asteriks, the ACA functions like the Swiss model. If you think this is bad, emulate something else.
Reposted by James Leckie
In all the years I have worked in health policy GOP/conservative proposals always boil down to the same ideas: block grant/cap #Medicaid, Medicare premium support, unregulated individual health insurance markets and tax-favored accounts like Health Savings Accounts. So we’re back to HSAs this week.
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
In all the years I have worked in health policy GOP/conservative proposals always boil down to the same ideas: block grant/cap #Medicaid, Medicare premium support, unregulated individual health insurance markets and tax-favored accounts like Health Savings Accounts. So we’re back to HSAs this week.
Look, not all ideas are winners
November 11, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Look, not all ideas are winners