Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

#1763 It's Not a Health Care System, it's a Wealth Extraction System

Jan 10, 2026
Guest
Physician / Health Policy Expert (guest)
Guest
Progressive Elected Official / Candidate (guest commentator)
Guest
Elizabeth Benjamin
Elizabeth Benjamin, a health initiatives VP at the Community Service Society, leads a discussion on the impending expiration of ACA subsidies affecting millions. A progressive elected official shares insights on medical debt relief and the push for Medicare for All. A health policy expert critiques the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting systemic inefficiencies and the need for public-centered models. Together, they explore the dire consequences of policy choices on coverage and costs, urging the view of healthcare as a fundamental right.
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ADVICE

Enroll Early And Pay To Start Jan 1 Coverage

  • Sign up and pay by cutoff dates to secure coverage starting January 1st, since late enrollment delays start dates.
  • Pay the first month's premium when enrolling to activate January coverage.
INSIGHT

Rising Premiums Reflect Sicker Risk Pools

  • Premiums are rising broadly because overall health costs and insurer pricing expectations increased.
  • Insurers expect healthier people to drop coverage, worsening risk pools and driving further rate increases.
ADVICE

States Can Temporarily Backfill Subsidies

  • States with budget surpluses can temporarily backfill federal subsidy cuts to avert immediate harm.
  • But long-term solutions require federal action and structural cost controls, not one-off patches.
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