The Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA ROOTS) has launched a registration help desk to support expatriate Keralites in enrolling for the NORKA CARE health insurance scheme. The help desk, located at the NORKA ROOTS headquarters, aims to provide assistance to those seeking to join the scheme. Expatriates can access the help desk through an online video-conferencing system, available on the NORKA Roots website. To enroll, expatriates must join a video call through the website,...

In Pennsylvania, a significant number of residents are opting to drop their health insurance as premiums are expected to double on January 1, 2026. This drastic increase comes as lawmakers have yet to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, leaving many individuals and free care clinics uncertain about their future. The Meadville Area Free Clinic, for instance, is facing a substantial increase in premiums, from $540 to over $1,000 per month. This hike poses a significant challenge for the...

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant expansion of health insurance subsidies under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021. These subsidies, which were designed to make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans, are set to expire at the end of 2022. However, there is a possibility that these subsidies could be revived retroactively if Congress takes action. The ARPA subsidies have had a substantial impact on the affordability of health insurance, with many...

The United States is the only high-income country that does not guarantee health care to all its citizens. As a result, millions of Americans are left without access to medical care, forcing them to rely on free clinics and charity events. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a free pop-up medical clinic was held, where hundreds of people gathered to receive medical attention. Many of those in attendance, such as Giovanni Gonzalez and his partner Grace Frizzell, struggle to afford basic medical care,...

In 2025, Sahan Journal's health coverage focused on the challenges faced by immigrant communities in accessing healthcare in Minnesota. One major theme was the impact of cuts and downsizing, particularly for undocumented immigrants. The journal reported on several key stories, including the potential loss of healthcare coverage for DACA recipients, which ultimately occurred when a rule granting them access to Affordable Care Act plans was reversed. This change affected over 500,000 people....

The expiration of enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on January 1 is expected to have significant consequences for rural hospitals and Americans who rely on them. The subsidies, which were introduced in 2021 to make health insurance more affordable during the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire, and Congress has yet to extend them. As a result, health care costs are expected to rise, and many Americans may opt for cheaper insurance with higher deductibles or drop their...

The enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies, which were introduced as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, are likely to end soon. These subsidies have played a crucial role in making health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans. However, unless Congress takes action to extend them, they are set to expire at the end of 2022. The enhanced subsidies have had a significant impact on the affordability of health insurance for individuals and...

A significant healthcare divide is expected to emerge in 2026, affecting Americans differently based on their insurance coverage. On one hand, Medicare beneficiaries may experience savings on prescription drug costs, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. The IRA allows Medicare to negotiate prices for certain expensive medications, which will lead to lower out-of-pocket costs for nearly 9 million older adults. Starting January 1, 2026, the...

The proportion of healthcare services purchased through insurance has increased significantly over the past century, thanks to tax exemptions for employer-sponsored benefits. This has led to a surge in spending on treatment, as consumers are insulated from the cost of services. However, making patients bear more of their costs out of pocket is not an effective way to reduce wasteful healthcare spending. Instead, it can inhibit access to care, particularly for the seriously ill, who account for...

As the Covid-era tax credits for health insurance premiums are set to expire at the end of the year, millions of Americans are bracing for a significant increase in their healthcare costs. In response, Republicans in Congress are considering using a partisan tactic to force through direct cash payments to help Americans defray these costs. The idea, which was recently floated by President Donald Trump, involves using tariff revenue to fund these payments. However, the plan is facing skepticism...

Idaho's Medicaid expansion, which was approved by voters in 2018, is facing significant cuts that could threaten access to healthcare for thousands of low-income residents. The expansion, which was expected to provide coverage to approximately 91,000 people, has been a vital lifeline for many individuals and families who were previously uninsured or underinsured. However, the Idaho Legislature has introduced a bill that would impose strict work requirements and other limitations on Medicaid...

As the deadline for health insurance enrollment approaches, many consumers are facing a daunting task: finding affordable coverage for the upcoming year. With the likelihood of Congress extending enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces dwindling, premiums are expected to double, triple, or even quadruple for 2026. This has led some individuals to seek cheaper alternatives, but experts warn that these options often come with significant risks. Amy Killelea, a research...

A significant change in the legislative landscape may have profound financial implications for thousands of South Carolinians. The enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which have helped keep monthly insurance premiums affordable, are set to expire on December 31. These subsidies were initially expanded during the pandemic and extended by Democrats in 2022, providing lower monthly premiums for individuals who purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace. Without...

The rising cost of healthcare in the US is a dire issue, as evident from the stories of several individuals who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for their health insurance. Celia Monreal, a mother of five from Texas, is one such example. She currently pays no premium for her ACA marketplace plan due to tax credits, but if these credits expire at the end of the year, her monthly premium could skyrocket to $1,500. This would force her to choose between paying for necessities like heat and...

A gathering was held in Nampa, Idaho, where individuals came together to advocate for the extension of health care premium tax credits. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of these tax credits and the potential consequences of their expiration. The tax credits in question were established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and have been instrumental in making health insurance more affordable for many Idahoans. By reducing the cost of premiums, these tax credits have...

A recent report by KCCI highlights the concerns of a Iowa doctor regarding the rising health insurance costs and physician shortages in the state. The doctor, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed frustration with the current healthcare system, stating that it is becoming increasingly difficult for patients to access affordable healthcare due to skyrocketing insurance costs. The doctor attributed the rising costs to a combination of factors, including the increasing complexity of medical...

Rural hospitals in the US may face increased risk of closure due to rising healthcare costs, as the enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are set to expire on January 1. The subsidies, which were introduced in 2021 to make health insurance more affordable during the COVID-19 pandemic, have helped over 24 million Americans enroll in the marketplace. However, with the expiration of these subsidies, many Americans may opt for cheaper insurance with higher deductibles or drop their...

Mississippi has long struggled with a fragile healthcare system, and despite its many challenges, state leaders have been relatively quiet on efforts to address the issue. The state has some of the worst health outcomes in the country, with high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, Mississippi has a severe shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural areas, and a high percentage of uninsured residents. The state's Medicaid program, which provides health...

The open enrollment period for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance is coming to a close, and many Americans are facing higher premiums and reduced tax subsidies. As a result, some are considering alternative options, such as short-term insurance plans or other types of coverage. However, experts warn that these alternatives may not provide comprehensive coverage and can be risky. Short-term plans, which are not ACA-compliant, can be less expensive but often have limitations, such as annual and...

As a family, having access to affordable healthcare with excellent benefits is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and financial stability. In Colorado, there are various options available to ensure that families can receive the medical care they need without breaking the bank. Colorado has implemented several initiatives to make healthcare more affordable for its residents. One such initiative is the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Connect for Health Colorado. This...

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced on Sunday that he expects the House to pass a three-year extension of tax credits for individuals purchasing health insurance through Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges. This move is part of a bipartisan compromise aimed at extending ACA tax credits, which could impact approximately 22 million Americans who may face higher premiums in the new year. Jeffries stated that the House will address this issue in early January, potentially putting...

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has imposed a fine of Rs. 1 crore on Care Health Insurance due to lapses in its health insurance claim settlement process. The regulator found that the insurer failed to provide adequate reasons for claim repudiation or for paying reduced amounts to policyholders. Instead of providing concrete evidence, the insurer relied on email logs, which were deemed insufficient and unreliable. IRDAI also discovered that Care Health did...

The US House and Senate have concluded their final votes for the year without passing a deal to extend federal healthcare subsidies, resulting in a significant increase in health insurance costs for millions of Americans starting January 1. The deadline for selecting health plans for 2026 has passed, and consumers who rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage will see their premiums climb substantially. According to Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California, middle-income...

The cost of health insurance is increasing, and several factors are contributing to this trend. According to a report by Axios, the main drivers of rising health insurance costs are: Rising healthcare costs: The cost of medical care is increasing, driven by factors such as an aging population, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, and advances in medical technology. As healthcare providers charge more for their services, insurers must pay more to cover these costs, leading to higher...

The US House of Representatives has failed to come up with a plan to extend the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which are set to lapse on December 31. The credits, which have been in place since 2014, help lower healthcare costs for millions of Americans who receive coverage through the ACA marketplace. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the credits, leading to a significant increase in ACA enrollment, including in Texas, where the number of enrollees jumped from...

The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans is expected to have a devastating impact on Alabamians, particularly those who rely on the marketplace for health insurance. The credits, which were introduced in 2021, made health insurance more affordable for many people, but they are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress takes action to extend them. According to estimates, the expiration of the credits could lead to a 93% increase...

Robert and Emily Sory are a couple who live in Thompson Station, Tennessee, and are passionate about animals. They are starting an animal sanctuary at their home, which is currently home to a variety of animals, including a blind raccoon, Russian foxes, African porcupines, emus, bobcats, and goats. However, despite their love for animals, the Sorys are facing a difficult decision regarding their own health insurance. In 2026, they will no longer have health insurance, as the Affordable Care...

Millions of Americans are facing a significant increase in health costs in 2026 as subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are set to expire on December 31. These subsidies, which were created in 2021, have helped lower monthly premiums for approximately 22 million Americans. If Congress fails to extend the tax credits, individual policyholders could experience financially devastating consequences, and healthcare costs as a whole may rise. According to an analysis by SmartAsset, a...

Four Republican lawmakers defied their party's leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, to join Democrats in a vote to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, has been a contentious issue in American politics since its inception. The subsidies in question help make healthcare more affordable for low-income individuals and families. The vote was forced by Democrats, who used a procedural maneuver to bring the issue to the House floor. The four Republican...