Congress is debating whether to extend pandemic-era federal Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. Without these enhanced subsidies, experts estimate nearly 5 million people could become uninsured in 2026, and premiums for those still buying coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could jump an average of 75%.

In the next virtual event in the “Decoding the Moment” series presented by Penn LDI and Tradeoffs, national experts Katherine Baicker and Jonathan Gruber will discuss why these subsidies were created, the role they’ve played in helping Americans afford health insurance coverage, and the tradeoffs federal policymakers should weigh as they explore options to provide coverage that is affordable for consumers and taxpayers.

About the Decoding the Moment series

The Trump administration’s sweeping efforts to reshape federal health policy have created a fast-moving, uncertain landscape for the health care sector and policymakers. In response, Penn LDI and Tradeoffs’ “Decoding the Moment” series provides timely, evidence-based discussions with leading experts on key federal policy changes. The series explores the implications of recent actions and what they signal for the future. Past events have focused on the health impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” new rules for vaccine approvals, and cuts to violence prevention programs.

Views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of Tradeoffs, the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine), or the University of Pennsylvania.

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Speakers