Insurance News

Congress is moving to restore enhanced ACA premium tax credits after their expiration at the end of 2025 led to significant premium increases for 2026 coverage. The House is poised to pass legislation extending the enhanced tax credits for three years, through the 2028 coverage year. The vote is being driven by bipartisan political pressure, […]

The White House has announced a new agreement with major pharmaceutical companies to significantly reduce the cost of leading anti-obesity medications. Under the deal, some of these drugs could be made available for as low as $149 per month, a major drop from current prices that can exceed $1,000 monthly. The agreement, reached with Eli […]

As the government shutdown drags into its fourth week, negotiations remain stalled with no clear path forward. The Senate again failed to advance a continuing resolution to reopen the government, while efforts to pass the Shutdown Fairness Act — aimed at ensuring pay for federal workers and service members — also fell short. Nearly 900,000 […]

The United States Government is officially shutdown after the Senate was unable to come to an agreement on the federal budget. Senate Democrats continue to argue for the addition of an extension to the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) to the budget. At the same time, Senate Republicans maintain that they will revisit EPTCs after […]

Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Independent Broker Relief and Oversight of Knowingly Egregious and Repetitive Sales Tactics in Medicare Enrollment Act of 2025, or the Independent BROKERS TIME Act of 2025 (S. 2625). This bipartisan bill directs the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue rules updating the […]

The IRS recently announced that the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) affordability indexed amount under the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment (“ESRP”) requirements will be 9.96% for plan years that begin in 2026. This is a significant increase from the 2025 percentage amount (9.02%), jumping above the original 9.5% threshold. Background IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-25 establishes the […]

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the reconciliation bill – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill, which had previously passed the Senate, now heads to President Trump for his signature. The bill was subject to intense negotiation and significant change from the initial House-passed version as it worked through the Senate process. […]

Several states have taken steps to expand state-funded Medicaid-like health coverage to include undocumented immigrants. Proponents argue this approach addresses gaps in access to care and helps reduce the overall number of uninsured residents. California has led the way, offering full-scope coverage to income-eligible individuals regardless of immigration status, while other states like New York […]

On April 15, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO 14273) directing federal agencies to propose regulations or make recommendations to provide access to prescription drugs at lower costs. While the bulk of the EO pertains to lowering Medicare drug prices, this summary highlights aspects of the EO that may be relevant to employer-sponsored […]

Due to Medicare regulatory guidance, the Special Election Period for Individuals Affected by a Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency (Disaster/Emergency SEP) is changing effective April 1, 2025. Starting April 1, 2025 beneficiaries seeking to use the Disaster/Emergency SEP must call 1-800-MEDICARE. Brokers can no longer assist clients with these enrollments. What’s changing effective April […]