Higher Obamacare Prices Become Public in a Dozen States
What’s Happening: Several states have released 2026 ACA insurance rates showing premium spikes of 18% or more if Congress allows enhanced subsidies to lapse. A family of four in Maine could see annual premiums rise by $16,100, while older couples could face increases up to $23,700.
Why It Matters: The combination of a federal shutdown and subsidy uncertainty is creating market instability. Hospitals should anticipate delayed reimbursements, increased self-pay accounts, and patient confusion during the open enrollment period beginning Nov. 1.
Health Care CEOs Push for National Health Policy, Advocacy
What’s Happening: At the Summit on the Future of Rural Health Care, top executives from Providence, Sanford Health, HealthPartners, and Dartmouth Health urged stronger national leadership to protect rural access and stabilize insurance funding amid Trump administration reforms and looming Medicaid cuts.
Why It Matters: CEOs called for bipartisan advocacy and innovation to prevent further rural hospital closures. Academic and nonprofit systems can align with these efforts by leveraging telehealth, AI, and community partnerships to demonstrate value and sustainability.
Democratic Governors Form Public Health Alliance in Rebuke of Trump
What’s Happening: Fifteen Democratic governors launched the Governors Public Health Alliance to coordinate state-level health responses amid disputes with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine guidance and staffing cuts.
Why It Matters: The alliance signals states’ growing independence from federal health agencies. Academic systems can expect new state partnerships for disease surveillance and vaccination policy.
What’s on the Horizon
2025 United States federal government shutdown is still in effect, and the inability of Congress and the Trump administration to reach agreement on a continuing resolution means many agencies and programs remain under strain. SNAP benefits are scheduled to end on November 1.