“An Arm and a Leg” senior producer Emily Pisacreta lately misplaced a job that supplied her with medical insurance. So now, for the primary time, she will likely be signing up for Obamacare.
Her search is off to a rocky begin. Pisacreta provides listeners a sobering have a look at how the excessive value of medical insurance plans may change her life and people of thousands and thousands of others in search of Reasonably priced Care Act plans, as premiums, on common, are projected to extend by greater than they’ve lately.
Joined by “An Arm and a Leg” host Dan Weissmann and KFF Well being Information senior correspondent Julie Appleby, Pisacreta examines how latest finances cuts by the Trump administration for navigators — the individuals charged with serving to people, households, and companies join ACA plans — may make it more durable to search out the correct plan and to pinpoint what individuals can anticipate in November when open enrollment kicks off.
Dan Weissmann
Host and producer of “An Arm and a Leg.” Beforehand, Dan was a workers reporter for Market and Chicago’s WBEZ. His work additionally seems on “All Issues Thought of,” Market, the BBC, “99% Invisible,” and “Reveal” from the Middle for Investigative Reporting.
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Emily Pisacreta
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Ellen Weiss
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Adam Raymonda
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Janmaris Perez
Producer
Lauren Gould
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Transcript: The Wrestle To Afford Insurance coverage in 2026 Hits Residence
Observe: “An Arm and a Leg” makes use of speech-recognition software program to generate transcripts, which can include errors. Please use the transcript as a instrument however verify the corresponding audio earlier than quoting the podcast.
Dan: Hey there–
Over the summer time, our buddies at KFF Well being Information printed a narrative with the headline: “Insurers and clients brace for double whammy to Obamacare premiums.”
Mainly– whammy primary — insurers are planning to boost premiums for 2026 —
And whammy quantity two: federal subsidies for Obamacare insurance policies are scheduled to get lots much less beneficiant.
Collectively, these whammies imply thousands and thousands of individuals will likely be paying a LOT extra each month — like tons of of {dollars} extra.
People are going to want as a lot advance warning as attainable, to determine how you can put together for successful like that.
Which means: That is our form of story.
And this one hits somewhat near house. As a result of a type of people is An Arm and a Leg’s senior producer, Emily Pisacreta.
Emily: Yeah, it’s a wild time. I’ve by no means had to do that earlier than. Cuz I’ve at all times had medical insurance by work. I’ve completely formed my life round that as a result of I’ve diabetes, and with out medical insurance, I can’t afford what I would like.
Dan: However that medical insurance has by no means come from An Arm and a Leg. When Emily began working right here as an intern, she was the primary individual in addition to me to work various hours per week. We didn’t have an worker well being plan as a result of we didn’t have staff.
And we’re nonetheless so tiny, so tiny. Aside from summer time interns, there’s nonetheless solely ever been one different individual working various hours per week in addition to the 2 of us. I’m nonetheless the one full-time individual, and we nonetheless don’t have an worker well being plan.
Emily: And till lately, that labored for me– I had one other part-time job, and it had well being advantages.
Besides my contract with that job simply ended.
So for the primary time, like greater than 20 million different individuals, I’m open enrollment. And I gotta say, it’s one hell of a 12 months to do this.
Dan: You’re a double-whammy case examine.
And to get a broader perspective, the 2 of us talked with Julie Appleby, the reporter who wrote that “double-whammy” story, and since you then’ve continued to do extra homework.
Emily: It’s been fairly intense!
Dan: For actual. And I’m somewhat little bit of a case examine too:
Abruptly I’m discovering out what our nation’s “system” — the place medical insurance will get tied to jobs — appears like … from the employer aspect. It’s an entire new journey.
We don’t know precisely what we’re going to do. Truthfully, I don’t suppose anyone does.
However we’ve discovered a ton. About what we’re up in opposition to — together with thousands and thousands of different individuals — and our choices.
And by tackling this proper now — six weeks earlier than open enrollment begins — I hope we can assist numerous different individuals begin planning early with strong info. Let’s go.
That is An Arm and a Leg, a present about why well being care prices so freaking a lot, and what we will possibly do about it. I’m Dan Weissmann. I’m a reporter, and I like a problem. So the job we’ve picked on this present is to take one of the crucial enraging, terrifying, miserable elements of American life, and produce you a present that’s entertaining, empowering, and helpful.
So, we began by checking in with the individual whose reporting first obtained us this story.
Julie Appleby: It’s recording. It appears prefer it says 10, 11,
Dan in interview: excellent.
Julie Appleby: I’ve notes and I’ll strive to not rattle the papers.
Emily in interview: I imply, if we’ve got a reporter on tape rattling papers, I really feel like that’s in all probability okay.
Julie Appleby: Okay. That’s a plan, man.
Emily in interview: Yeah. Why don’t we begin out, may you similar to, inform us your title and what you do and the place you’re employed?
Julie Appleby: So that is Julie Appleby. I’m senior correspondent at KFF Well being Information.
Emily in interview: What kind of stuff do you cowl?
Julie Appleby: I cowl healthcare coverage, however that’s a broad time period. So all the things from value to, the Reasonably priced Care Act, to what’s happening with Medicare, every kind of various issues involving well being care packages and insurance coverage.
Emily in interview: So we have been actually excited to speak with you, as a result of we needed to cowl, you already know, all of the adjustments to {the marketplace} plans, that you just’ve been writing about. And, it simply so occurs that I have to enroll in a market plan.
Julie Appleby: So let’s provide you with form of the rundown. There’s like, there’s form of like two issues happening right here. One among them is that simply premiums are going up as they do yearly. Though this 12 months it’s greater than it’s been since 2018. So the median enhance nationwide, and that is in line with some knowledge analysis by KFF, is about 18%. In order that’s an enormous soar, proper?
Emily in interview: Yeah. Yeah. In your reporting you known as it a double whammy. Charges are going up, enhanced subsidies are in all probability going away.
Julie Appleby: Proper. That’s the second half of the double whammy.
Dan: OK, breaking in right here– gonna do that a few occasions for Obamacare vocabulary. Emily simply talked about an essential time period, glided by kinda quick: enhanced subsidies. Obamacare has at all times included subsidies for most individuals — that’s a part of the “Reasonably priced” a part of Reasonably priced Care Act. However for many individuals, Obamacare insurance policies nonetheless have been… fairly costly!
So, in 2021 — like, as a part of a COVID restoration bundle — Congress added additional subsidies for Obamacare insurance policies: Enhanced subsidies.
Julie Appleby: Mainly, they made the protection extra beneficiant on each ends of the revenue spectrum. In truth, I believe I used to be some statistics this morning and one thing like, 80% of people that have protection proper now have a plan that’s $10 a month or much less.
Dan: These are people with decrease incomes — the place paying sixty or eighty {dollars} a month is an enormous chew. With “enhanced” subsidies, that turned ten {dollars} — and even zero.
However individuals with greater incomes additionally obtained assist. Earlier than the improved subsidies, individuals with incomes above a sure degree didn’t get ANY subsidy. Folks known as it an “revenue cliff.”
For the final 4 years these enhanced subsidies, form of erased that cliff. In case your revenue was greater, you simply paid a share of your revenue. Enhanced subsidies picked up the remainder.
However the enhanced subsidies weren’t everlasting. They’ll expire on the finish of this 12 months, until Congress extends them. In any other case…
Julie Appleby: individuals who make greater than the 4 occasions the federal poverty degree is not going to qualify for any assist with their premiums beneath the Reasonably priced Care Act. There will likely be that cliff.
Emily in interview: Proper, proper.
Dan: And it seems Emily is principally standing on that cliff. She exhibits Julie the numbers.
Emily: We discovered this calculator from KFF that makes an attempt to indicate the adjustments in premiums if the subsidies expire. And possibly I’ll simply share my display and we will have a look at – we will have a look at what I’m .
Okay, you guys see KFF? Possibly simply reload and I can enter some Emily figures in right here. So, they ask you about the place you reside and your yearly family revenue.
Dan in interview: what’s the quantity that you just’ve entered as revenue?
Emily in interview: I’ve entered $63,000. And it says, with out enhanced subsidies, you’ll probably lose monetary assist. As a result of my revenue is 418% of the federal poverty degree.
Dan: Oy. somewhat extra Obamacare vocabulary. First: Federal poverty degree. 4 occasions that degree is the place you fall off the revenue cliff, no subsidies. 400 p.c. And the calculator – which we should always say, is a 12 months out-of-date, so the numbers aren’t exact, however they provide us an concept– that calculator says Emily’s at 418.
And subsequent: Obamacare plans come in several “ranges,” like Olympic medals: Bronze, Silver, Gold… Bronze plans are the most affordable, and canopy the least.
If Emily obtained a subsidy, the calculator says a silver plan can be like 400-and some {dollars} a month, nevertheless it says Emily wouldn’t GET a subsidy, so…
Emily in interview: It could be about $880 a month for a silver plan, or $675 a month for a bronze plan. So for me, that’s traumatic to learn.
Julie Appleby: That’s some huge cash. 880 bucks a month. So that you’re within the scenario the place you don’t get any, subsidies as a result of your revenue is over that quantity. However I performed round with one in all these calculators too once I wrote a narrative lately. And I additionally plugged in anyone, let’s say who’s earnings are form of on the decrease finish of the revenue scale, say simply over 150% of the federal poverty degree. So that they’re nonetheless gonna pay extra. They’re, it’s gonna go from paying type of a nationwide common of about $2 a month to 72 bucks a month, or $864 a 12 months. And keep in mind, that is anyone who’s making 23,000 a 12 months. So $864 is some huge cash.
Dan in interview: Emily, can you place that calculator again up on the display for us?
Emily in interview: Certain can.
Dan in interview: The scary calculator. I imply, what would occur in case your revenue have been just a bit bit decrease? Should you simply shave $3,000 out of your revenue, what does it look
Emily in interview: So possibly like 60?
Julie Appleby: I guess you would even shave somewhat bit much less. Why didn’t you make it 62?
(Sfx: Buzzer)
Dan: How about 61? What does 61 do for us?
Emily in interview: Can I get a 61
(SFX: Buzzer)
Dan: how about $60,500?
(SFX: Buzzer)
Dan in interview: I really feel like that is like an public sale reverse.
Julie Appleby: in reverse.
Emily in interview: I do know that is just like the public sale from hell
Dan in interview: Yeah, we’re, we’re reducing your revenue. So let’s maintain going. $60,200,
(SFX: Ding!)
Dan in interview: That’s it. Holy crap it’s an enormous cliff. It’s a $5,000 cliff
Dan: Breaking in a single final time: 5 thousand {dollars} is how a lot cash Emily may save on Obamacare premiums if her revenue stays beneath that 400 p.c line. Put one other approach: It’s how way more she’d should pay if she steps over that cliff.
Dan in interview: Julie, what does that appear like to you, seeing that?
Julie Appleby: I believe this additionally, this illustrates numerous issues. I imply, individuals are gonna should remember the fact that cliff for subsequent 12 months if these tax credit aren’t prolonged. It is a projection, that is what you suppose you’re going to earn subsequent 12 months. In order that’s one factor that to remember, okay? And one thing may occur. Emily may, I don’t know, possibly she wins the lottery or she goes to the on line casino and wins a bunch of cash and that places her over.
Emily in interview: Or gives me, you already know, a contract job that’s actually attention-grabbing. It doesn’t pay that a lot, however simply places me over, you already know?
Dan in interview: It’s important to say, I’m sorry, that freelance job is gonna value me greater than $5,000 to just accept.
Dan: So, Emily: listening again to that dialog now. What are you feeling?
Emily: I imply, I used to be attempting to remain calm however internally I used to be freaking out. As Gen Z likes to say, I used to be crashing out.
Dan: It was actually emotional. We each wanted time to chill off, simply to place this story collectively.
Emily: Yeah, this example is traumatic. I don’t know for positive how a lot cash I’m even going to make subsequent 12 months. And it feels form of bizarre to place all this out right here. I don’t understand how any of this sounds to different individuals. As a result of possibly it seems like 400% of the federal degree is some huge cash. And in some elements of the nation it undoubtedly is. However I stay in New York Metropolis. So my revenue doesn’t go that far. And that $880 bucks a month we have been speaking about? That’s truly an enormous hit.
Dan: Yeah and — to not pile on, however: the info behind the calculator the place we obtained that quantity, 880 — that’s final 12 months’s knowledge. So it doesn’t embody the massive premium will increase that Julie was writing about. The precise quantity you’d be paying each month can be greater. And also you seemed up the deductible: greater than 4 thousand {dollars}.
Emily: Proper, which I received’t have mendacity round at the start of subsequent 12 months both. Yeah so truthfully, all of it nonetheless makes me need to scream.
Dan: Yeah, and also you’re a case examine for a LOT of individuals. Julie learn us a extremely sobering quantity, the place one consulting group estimated that with this double-whammy Obamacare enrollment may drop by like half or extra.
And, in actual fact, one of many causes insurers say they’re elevating costs this 12 months is– with out the improved subsidies, they determine numerous wholesome individuals will simply decide out.
Emily: I can see why individuals don’t join. I imply, I don’t have that selection. However with a view to get a subsidy, I’d should decrease my revenue, and to a really particular quantity – which is lower than I stay on now. And watch it to ensure I don’t absorb a penny extra.
Dan: Whereas nonetheless paying tons of of {dollars} a month for Obamacare – even with a subsidy.
Emily: And look. It is a factor lots of people do. On a regular basis. –deliberately restrict their revenue to qualify for help.. To maintain Medicaid, individuals skip out on jobs, careers, marriage.
So my scenario is NOT distinctive. It’s undoubtedly not the worst.
Dan: You’re our in-house case examine. You’ll be able to’t stand in for everyone.
I imply, simply so as to add yet one more wrinkle: Should you didn’t stay in a super-expensive metropolis, your premiums would truly be decrease..
I used that calculator to search for what you’d pay for a silver plan in … Chicago, like the place I stay? Manner, approach cheaper. Like, unsubsidized? So much lower than a New York plan *with* a subsidy. I’m simply saying.
Emily: That’s… wild. No shade on Chicago However I don’t suppose I’m able to make a protracted distance transfer for medical insurance but.
Dan: I’m simply saying…
Emily: However whereas we’ve been looking forward to 2026 insurance coverage, I’ve truly had a more-immediate determination to make.
Dan: Proper.
Emily: LIke I stated earlier than, I had insurance coverage by my outdated employer. However that’s ending. Whereas we have been doing this story, I had to determine medical insurance for the final three months of 2025.
Dan: You ended up getting some assist from an actual professional.
Emily: I positive did.
Dan: And: I known as up An Arm and a Leg’s insurance coverage dealer.
As a result of like we stated: If Emily’s a case examine, so am I. We’re so small, and I’m the one one right here who’s wanted medical insurance from this tiny little enterprise. Now, issues are somewhat completely different.
What we’ve discovered, and what’s subsequent. That’s simply forward.
This episode of An Arm and a Leg is produced in partnership with KFF Well being Information. That’s a nonprofit newsroom masking well being points in America. Their journalists — like Julie Appleby — do wonderful work. We’re honored to be their colleagues.
Emily: Julie Appleby left me with somewhat recommendation: Join with an ACA navigator.
Dan: Navigators: These are people who can information you thru the method of signing up for Obamacare. They’re not brokers, they don’t make a fee. They’re paid by the federal government.
Emily: However they’re not authorities staff — native organizations work on government-funded contracts.
Dan: Which is sensible– Obamacare plans themselves are principally native: The menu of plans to select from, they don’t simply range from state to state: They are often completely different from one county to a different.
Emily: And I needed somewhat perspective on how the entire navigator program works.
Dan: And it seems: We all know somebody on the group that coordinates all of the navigators in New York state.
Elisabeth Benjamin: My title is Elizabeth Benjamin. I’m Vice President for Well being Initiatives on the Group Service Society of New York.
Dan: We’ve spoken with Elisabeth earlier than — a bunch of occasions — about her work pushing hospitals in NY to give up suing individuals over medical debt.
And sure, it seems her store additionally runs the community of navigators all through New York.
Emily: However after we talked, it turned out, her connection to the navigator program is somewhat completely different than I’d anticipated.
Elisabeth Benjamin: I don’t, you already know, run it each day, however I, myself do assist individuals individually enroll. As a result of it’s actually essential to grasp what individuals are experiencing, what their considerations are. I’ve like a small group of folks that I assist yearly, Numerous mates, youngsters.
Emily in interview: Oh, that’s superior. Okay. Yeah, I guess you’re like an amazing like auntie to have..
Elisabeth Benjamin: , folks that flip 26 and the dad and mom are like, I do know, please, will you assist me?
Emily: She was like: Look, all people wants assist.
Elisabeth Benjamin: The underside line is, you already know, it isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. It’s onerous to work by these web sites. I imply, they’re as consumer pleasant as attainable, however there’s like little form of little moguls that you must form of ski over and it’s simple to form of miss a mogul and faceplant, and we don’t need that to occur.
Emily: And once I instructed her about how my story matches into this episode, she was instantly like.
Elisabeth Benjamin: Oh, properly, I can assist you.
Emily: Not with my complete 2026 dilemma: there’s simply no details about 2026 plans on the market but. However for my fast query — what do I do about the remainder of 2025 – she was like, I’m fairly free tomorrow.
Elisabeth Benjamin: You’ll be able to tape your enrollment.
Emily in interview: Oh my gosh, that may be wonderful.
Dan: Significantly wonderful. I imply, it seemed like good tape, which we at all times like.
But in addition — we talked that day, you and me: You have been actually weighing some massive selections.
Emily: I imply one was: Do I join Obamacare for the remainder of the 12 months, or do I keep on my outdated employer’s plan?
As a result of a legislation known as Cobra means they’ve to permit me to purchase in — however I’d should pay the entire month-to-month premium, which was SUPER excessive. Greater than a thousand {dollars}.
So Obamacare was wanting good. These additional subsidies are nonetheless in place by the top of the 12 months.
Dan: There was a draw back.
Emily: Yeah — beginning a brand-new plan would imply beginning with a model new deductible– cash I’d should pay out of pocket earlier than the brand new insurance coverage kicked in for many issues.
Dan: These might be like hundreds of {dollars}.
Emily: Yeah, however then there was an incredible shock: In New York, the place I stay, a brand new state legislation implies that all Obamacare plans embody insulin with no copay. Even for those who haven’t paid out and hit your deductible. That’s a deal I’ve *by no means* gotten from any insurance coverage, ever.
AND this deal included different diabetes provides — like my steady glucose monitor. That stuff might be massively costly.
So my pondering was like: I’ll seize the most affordable Obamacare plan– and get all my diabetes provides — and I’ll strive to not go to the physician for the remainder of the 12 months.
Elisabeth Benjamin: Okay, so prepared?
Emily in interview: I’m prepared.
Emily: The subsequent morning, I confirmed up at Elisabeth Benjamin’s condo.
Elisabeth Benjamin: All proper. So Emily, right here you’re, you’re on my dashboard. Oh, wait, right here I could make this simpler for you. Let’s do the massive display. Okay.
Emily: Elisabeth began strolling me by the applying. Title, date of start, deal with… fairly routine to begin.
Elisabeth Benjamin: That’s your telephone quantity…
Emily: And at this stage I’m questioning if I ought to’ve simply achieved all of it myself and left poor Elisabeth alone.
However after some time — as soon as we began truly plans, I used to be like: Oh wow. Elisabeth was capable of like actually zip by issues. It was an entire vibe.
Elisabeth Benjamin: Maintain on one second. That’s not, that’s not essential I wanna see if that is in community…
Emily: And he or she noticed issues I’d have completely missed.
Elisabeth Benjamin: So that is form of an attention-grabbing plan. ’trigger you’d be capable of go to a health care provider or a specialist earlier than the deductible.
Dan: Wait, you would do a health care provider go to earlier than you spent that deductible? That’s a factor?
Emily: Yeah, in that one plan, I assume? However even Elisabeth needed to actually dig to determine that out.
Elisabeth Benjamin: Like see, it’s type of somewhat irritating since you wouldn’t, you couldn’t actually inform that from this. Because of this it’s useful to have a navigator
Emily: I imply, super-helpful: With Elisabeth’s assist, I obtained a plan
Elisabeth Benjamin: and you’re achieved.
Emily: the place OK, I can’t truly SEE a health care provider earlier than the deductible. Not in individual. However I CAN do telehealth. So if god forbid I get some form of bizarre an infection, I may get a prescription. Oh, and my precise physician, like my endocrinologist, is roofed. And the deductible is far, a lot decrease than the opposite plans I’d been . I imply, it’s nonetheless scary as hell, however HALF as scary-as-hell?
Dan: And the one catch is: It’s important to do that yet again in November or December. Besides then — until Congress extends the additional subsidies — you might be a lot greater month-to-month funds.
Emily: Proper. Truly, let’s come again to me in a minute. As a result of the excellent news in my case: A minimum of I’ll be capable of get Elisabeth’s assist once more. Like, she supplied to, which was so good. But in addition: even when she’s super-busy, I’ll be capable of discuss to a different navigator. As a result of I stay in New York.
Dan: Yeah. This is without doubt one of the issues we discovered from Elisabeth. It goes again one of many causes we needed to speak along with her within the first place. As a result of there’s one other massive change with Obamacare this 12 months: the federal authorities is chopping funding for navigators by like 90 p.c. We needed to listen to from Elisabeth — how is that gonna have an effect on her group’s work.
Emily: And — this was a shock: She stated it received’t have an effect on her work in any respect– as a result of New York navigators are funded by the state authorities. Seems the identical factor is true for about half the states. However I talked with Elisabeth’s counterpart in a state the place that isn’t the case.
Nicholas Riggs: We aren’t gonna be capable of attain the variety of individuals we did earlier than. That’s simply actuality. You’ll be able to’t do extra with much less. Folks will lose their protection due to this.
Emily: That’s Nicholas Riggs. He runs the NC Navigator Consortium.
Nicholas Riggs: We cowl all 100 counties. We’re the one navigator entity in North Carolina.
Emily: He says an enormous piece of their work is definitely outreach– discovering individuals who might not know they’ll get this sort of assist.
Nicholas Riggs: , there’s no listing of the uninsured.
Emily: And so they don’t simply assist individuals choose Obamacare plans– they assist individuals join Medicaid. A 90 p.c finances reduce hits all of that. He says they’re in search of extra volunteer navigators, nevertheless it received’t be the identical as having skilled workers.
Nicholas Riggs: What you’re dropping is institutional information. Volunteer navigators are nice. However typically it takes a number of years to actually get a deal with on some extra complicated circumstances.
Dan: I imply, Emily — you skilled first hand how massive a deal it was to hae, like, an actual professional stroll you thru this course of.
Emily: Elisabeth spent nearly an hour with me!
Dan: Lots of people received’t have entry to that form of assist. It’s yet one more crummy factor we’re attempting to assist individuals plan for. You discovered a map that exhibits which states fund their very own navigators. We’ll publish a hyperlink — so individuals can see what the deal is of their state.
And Emily, let’s come again to you for a minute: You’re fortunate to have entry to the world’s best navigator, however until Congress extends the improved subsidies, that subsequent dialog along with her is gonna be lots harder.
Emily: I imply, until I get one other job with medical insurance first.
Dan: So, about that: When you have been having your first dialog with Elisabeth, I used to be speaking with An Arm and a Leg’s medical insurance dealer, Kurt Kaufman.
As a result of I used to be like: What can I do to make it attainable for Emily to stay round?
I requested Kurt, may we set issues up for Emily to purchase into An Arm and a Leg’s plan? Like, in any respect?
Our insurance coverage is from Blue Cross Blue Defend of Illinois. Might it cowl Emily in New York? He was like
Kurt Ok: Yeah, that’s advantageous.
Dan: Then she,
Kurt Ok: 100%.
Dan: She may very well be insured on our Illinois based mostly plan,
regardless that she’s in New York.. Is that proper?
Kurt Ok: All day lengthy.
Dan: All day lengthy,
Kurt Ok: yep.,
Oh, yeah.
Dan: So I used to be like: Um, how a lot wouldn’t it COST?
He stated, based mostly in your age — insurance coverage will get dearer as you become older — like, 5, 600.
Emily: That’s a LOT lower than what the scary calculator stated I’d pay for a Silver plan with no subsidies. That was exhibiting like 9 hundred {dollars}.
Dan: Yeah. I imply: These are 2025 numbers, similar to all the things else we’ve been . All the things in 2026 is gonna be greater. However it looks as if An Arm and a Leg will get a greater deal than you’d get with Obamacare. Nevertheless, there’s a however. You’d have to be full-time.
Emily: Aha!
Dan: Yeah. I imply we’ve obtained you at 20 hours per week.
Emily: Yeah.
Dan: I used to be like Oh my god. I’d should DOUBLE that? However Kurt was like: Truly, no. The best way insurance coverage appears at it, for those who have been working a mean of 30 hours per week, then you would qualify.
Kurt Ok: She may very well be assembly that definition of quote unquote full-time worker.
Dan: Which, you already know, isn’t in my finances for subsequent 12 months– and I’m nonetheless working to ensure another elements of our scrappy little finances get funded– nevertheless it’s not DOUBLE. I’m beginning to consider it– like, a stretch objective. I imply, I’d LOVE to have extra of your time. I dunno.
Emily: I imply I like the concept lots! However there are only a lot of unknowns, proper?
Dan: Yeah, right here’s the place we’ve landed: You’ve obtained medical insurance lined up for the remainder of 2025. And after that, there’s a lot we don’t know. Will I discover extra money? Will you are taking one other job?
And: Will Congress prolong the improved subsidies? Once we first began engaged on this story, over the summer time, consultants have been like, “That’s not gonna occur.”
However in the previous few weeks, SOME Republicans have been proposing it. We undoubtedly don’t know — and it’s nothing we will rely on.
It’s all, truthfully, somewhat scary.
Emily: Truthfully, greater than somewhat.
Dan: BUT: We all know greater than we did. We’ve began actually confronting the scary numbers and the unknowns. You’ve taken a follow run at choosing insurance coverage.
Emily: That was truly form of an enormous factor.
Dan: It was, proper? And: I’ve began interested by stretch objectives.
We’re extra ready.
And — right here was the purpose of doing this complete case examine– I HOPE we’ve simply helped numerous different individuals get extra ready, to begin planning.
We’ll maintain you posted on how issues go for us. Some updates will present up in our First Help Equipment e-newsletter.
Should you’re not getting First Help Equipment, go test it out.
Emily: Whereas we have been reporting this story, we printed a information there: Prepare, emotionally and financially, for 2026 medical insurance.
Dan: It has hyperlinks to sources we talked about right here, and we’ll have extra on this week’s First Help Equipment.
What you wanna do is go tor at Arm and a Leg present dot com, slash, first assist equipment.
You’ll discover the entire archive there — together with notes about truthfully, some extraordinarily thrilling tasks that Arm and a Leg listeners are doing — and how one can pitch in.
We’ll be again with one other podcast episode in a number of weeks. Until then, deal with your self.
Emily: This episode of An Arm and a Leg was produced by me, Emily Pisacreta
Dan: and me, Dan Weissmann.
Emily: With assist from Janmaris Perez and Lauren Gould.
Dan: And edited by Ellen Weiss.
Dan: Adam Raymonda is our audio wizard. Claire Davenport is our engagement producer.
Dan: Our music is by Dave Weiner and Blue Dot Classes.
Dan: Bea Bosco is our consulting director of operations.
Huge due to Lynne Johnson, who simply wrapped up her run as our operations supervisor. Lynne, your work has achieved SO a lot to make our work extra sustainable. I can’t thanks sufficient.
Dan: An Arm and a Leg is produced in partnership with KFF Well being Information. That’s a nationwide newsroom producing in-depth journalism about well being points in America — and a core program at KFF: an unbiased supply of well being coverage analysis, polling, and journalism.
Dan: Zach Dyer is senior audio producer at KFF Well being Information. He’s the editorial liaison to this present.
Dan: An Arm and a Leg is Distributed by KUOW — Seattle’s NPR station.
Dan: And due to the Institute for Nonprofit Information for serving as our fiscal sponsor.
Dan: They permit us to just accept tax-exempt donations. You’ll be able to be taught extra about INN at INN.org.Dan: Lastly, thanks to all people who helps this present financially. You’ll be able to take part any time at Arm and a Leg present, dot com, slash: help.
“An Arm and a Leg” is a co-production of KFF Well being Information and Public Highway Productions.
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