States step into the breach as Obamacare subsidies lapse

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

12/29/2025 04:00 PM EST


At least a dozen states are working to shield people from soaring health insurance costs following Congress’ failure to extend Obamacare subsidies for tens of millions of Americans.

The efforts, which include actions taken by state leaders in California, Colorado and Maryland, in nearly every case come with a major caveat: They will only be able to help a portion of the people whose health insurance will be too expensive without the enhanced subsidies that Congress opted not to renew before leaving Washington for the year.

“We can carry the cost for a little bit, but at some point, we will need Congress to act,” said Javier Martínez, speaker of the House in New Mexico, the only state so far to cover all lapsed subsidies. “No state can withstand to plug in every single budget hole that the Trump administration leaves behind.”

The speed at which the mostly Democratic states have taken action underscores the mounting national anxiety about the medical and political impact the end of these subsidies will have. Millions of Americans will no longer be able to afford health insurance, straining the budgets of state welfare programs and hospitals that are already in the red, and threatening to erode access to care to a level not seen in years.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/29/states-step-into-the-breach-as-obamacare-subsidies-lapse-00703609

[Hope22]

1. The states stepping in is the people picking up the bill through another entity.

Memories of our new Republican governor saying he was cutting taxes while cutting services with a wild dirty knife and leaving communities to pick up the bill. Costs rose drastically and the people still paid every penny. In this case the thieves at the federal level will still be thieving and costs will be buried deeper than Jimmy Hoffa. We have endured the theft at the state level for years. This guy didn’t stop with ripping the citizens off directly. He grifted from the energy industry and let the people pick up the tab.

[markodochartaigh]

2. For fifty years the mantra of the

Republican party has been "government is not the solution, government is the problem".
When this party is put in charge of the government it's hardly any wonder what happens.
Will the Democratic party be able to communicate this to the one third of the electorate who couldn’t be bothered to vote?

[travelingthrulife]

3. What a disaster. So many people will just hurtle into poverty.

[flvegan]

4. "...but at some point, we will need Congress to act" LOL

Ain't gonna happen.