I don’t write about specific political campaign ads very often, but this one happens to be directly related to the healthcare field (namely, medical debt), so it seemed to merit a few words.
About a week ago, Adam Hamilton, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Kansas, came out with a new TV ad featuring one of the former patients who was once sued by his Republican opponent, incumbent Senator (and former OB/GYN) Roger Marshall (the ad starts at 2:26 in the clip posted above).
In the ad, the woman, Meischa Zimmerman, says:
“One evening I see lights. I open the door, and it’s a police officer. They arrested me because I didn’t make a $50 payment to Roger Marshall. I was 8 months pregnant and I said please, do not handcuff me in front of my 2-yr old daughter.
“Roger Marshall preyed on the low-income families of Kansas. The healthcare system is broken…but not for Roger Marshall. He’s absolutely profiting from it.”
Idaho is one of a handful of states where plan selections during the 2026 Open Enrollment Period actually increased year over year, by around 2.6%, in spite of the enhanced federal subsidies expiring back in December.
Two months into the year, however, effectuated enrollment is actually down slightly (by around 2.2%, or roughly 2,500 enrollees).
Here's what this looks like visually, with both 2025 and 2019 (the last pre-COVID year, which didn't include the enhanced subsidies) included for comparison:
Individual Market Proposed Average Rate Changes for Plan Year 2027
The summary table below provides an overview of the proposed average rate changes from 2026 in the individual health insurance market, as reported by the insurers.
It is important to note these are the initial rates proposed by the insurers and filed with the Departments. Rates are subject to review and approval by the Departments, and the final approved rates may vary from these proposed rates for many reasons.
Additionally, the actual rate change a consumer will experience in 2027 can vary from the average – with factors such as specific plan, geographic rating area, and age playing a major role.
Before I begin, it's important to note that as in most states, ACA exchange enrollment has plummeted in Michigan since Congressional Republicans allowed the enhanced federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year: Effectuated enrollment was down 27% year over year as of February, and has almost certainly continued to drop further since then. That's at least 131,000 fewer Michiganders enrolled in ACA healthcare coverage this year.
Here's what this looks like visually, with both 2025 and 2019 (the last pre-COVID year, which didn't include the enhanced subsidies) included for comparison:
2027 Requested Commercial Health Insurance Rates Have Been Submitted to OHIC for Review
The Office of Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) today released the individual, small group, and large group market premium rates requested by Rhode Island’s insurers. The requests were filed as part of OHIC’s rate review process (for coverage effective on or after January 1, 2027).
“Health insurers are once again seeking rate increases to cover the rising cost of health care and other expenses,” said Health Insurance Commissioner Cory King. He continued: “OHIC will thoroughly review these requests to determine whether they are justified.”
Two insurers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI), filed rates for plans to be sold on the individual market to people and families who do not receive insurance through their employer.
"In other words, Republicans’ insistence that they have a superior alternative to Obamacare is a zombie lie — a claim that should be dead after having been proved false again and again, but it is still shambling along, eating people’s brains."
This is perhaps the 3rd or even 4th time that I've written a post debunking this particular Republican zombie lie, but usually I've included it as part of a larger post debunking other silly claims as well. Since it's making the rounds again I figured I should write something up which addresses it standalone.
ACA exchange enrollment has dropped by over 14% in Tennessee since Congressional Republicans allowed the enhanced federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year.
Initial signups during Open Enrollment were down 11.4% vs. OEP 2025...but effectuated enrollment dropped by 14% year over year as of February.
That's over 72,000 Tennesseans who already lost coverage in just the first two months of the year...a number which has likely continued to climb since then.
Here's what this looks like visually, with both 2025 and 2019 (the last pre-COVID year, which didn't include the enhanced subsidies) included for comparison:
Health Carriers Propose Affordable Care Act Premium Rates for 2027
Proactive policies of the Moore Administration and General Assembly ensure that Maryland's individual premium rates remain among the lowest in the nation, in spite of federal pressures due to changing Exchange rules and continued lack of expansion of enhanced tax credits
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration has received the 2027 proposed premium rates for Affordable Care Act products offered by health and dental carriers in the individual, non-Medigap and small group markets, which impact approximately 482,000 Marylanders and represents 19% of the commercial health insurance market.
