From Trenton to Richmond, voters are seeing and hearing that the GOP premium hikes are about to hit. And, with one week until Election Day in New Jersey and Virginia, Republicans are stuck defending their choice to shut down the government to end tax credits that help working people afford health care.
Statewide contests in New Jersey and Virginia will be a preview of what’s to come in the 2026 midterms if Trump and Republicans in Congress refuse to fix their self-made health care disaster.
IN THE NEWS TODAY
POLITICO: New Jerseyans Expected to Pay Nearly 175 Percent More for Health Insurance on Exchange
- “New Jerseyans who purchase health insurance through the state’s exchange will see an average increase of nearly 175 percent in their premiums next year, the Murphy administration announced Monday.”
- “On average, the increased health care costs will amount to another $2,780 annually, the Murphy administration said.”
- “For the 2025 plan year, just over 500,000 New Jerseyans had health insurance through the state exchange, known as Get Covered New Jersey. An estimated 60,000 New Jerseyans will outright lose federal assistance if the enhanced subsidies expire as planned, the banking and insurance department said.”
AXIOS Richmond: Nearly 400K Virginians Brace for Health Care Premium Hikes
- “Open enrollment for Virginia’s health insurance marketplace begins Saturday, and nearly 400,000 people could see their coverage costs soar next year as federal aid that kept premiums low is set to expire.”
- “Virginia’s marketplace, partly run by the SCC, began mailing renewal notices last week showing premium increases ranging from 4% to 40%, per an agency spokesperson.”
- “What we’re watching: Whether the government shutdown affects next week’s gubernatorial election like it did in 2013 — when GOP fallout helped Democrat Terry McAuliffe win.”