(The Center Square)–With millions of Americans’ health insurance premiums projected to rise in 2026, due partially to enhanced Obamacare subsidies expiring, Republicans are eyeing health savings accounts as a solution.
“Both sides agree the cost of health care is too high. But sending billions of dollars to insurance companies while premiums continue to rise and the deficit continues to grow is not a solution,” Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a Wednesday hearing.
Crapo reiterated the general view of Republicans that renewing the enhanced Obamacare Premium Tax Credits, which are set to revert to original pre-pandemic levels on Dec. 31, will do nothing to address rising health care costs.
The taxpayer-funded PTC – established under the Affordable Care Act and temporarily expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic – is a subsidy that goes directly to health insurance companies, which use it to lower ACA marketplace enrollees’ monthly premiums.
Republicans argue the subsidies benefit insurers over patients, and that the expansion of the PTC led to increased fraud and inflated premiums.
President of Paragon Health Institute Brian Blase, whom Republicans called in as a witness, called the subsidies “ill-designed and inflationary.”
“More subsidies lock in a high-cost system and permit large insurers and hospital systems to remain inefficient,” Blase told lawmakers. “When enrollees pay only a small slice of the premium, or no premium at all, insurers face almost no price discipline. Insurers can raise premiums knowing that taxpayers will absorb almost all of the increase.”
He said the very structure of the subsidies – particularly with the COVID-19 additions that included 100% coverage of some enrollees’ monthly premiums and lifted the subsidy cap at four times the Federal Poverty Level – incentivize misreporting and fraud.
The Paragon Institute estimates that the number of ineligible enrollees in fully subsidized health insurance plans rose from an estimated 5 million to 6.4 million from 2024 to 2025, likely costing taxpayers $27 billion in 2025 alone.
“Extending temporary emergency subsidies would deepen a broken system instead of fixing it,” Blase said. “The enhanced subsidies have supercharged fraud, benefitted insurers more than patients, and increased taxpayer exposure.”
Instead of extending the enhanced PTC, Congress should expand health savings accounts (HSA) and allow for more flexible options by relaxing deductible thresholds, he said.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has pushed for lawmakers to explore replacing the PTC credits, which go directly to insurers, with HSAs or flexible savings accounts (FSA) that would give the money directly to patients.
He pointed out that under ACA’s medical loss ratio, insurance companies are allowed to use up to 20% of the subsidies for overhead expenses and profit, rather than towards direct medical care.
“Under the status quo that my colleagues are pushing, 20% is going to the insurance company for overhead and for profit – 80% for the health care that the insurance company believes that the patient needs,” Cassidy, a physician, said. “And under what we’re proposing, is that 100% of this goes to a patient-driven account – which she can use for a physician or dentist or drugs – 100% goes.”
If patients and families received the money directly, they could either subsidize the premiums of whatever insurance plan they choose, or use it to pay for health care services directly, depending on what form the savings accounts take.
Either way, this would increase patient choice and lower health insurance plan costs by driving competition among insurers in the marketplace, Cassidy argued.
But Democratic lawmakers, who shut down the federal government for 43 days over demands that the enhanced subsidies be renewed, say that allowing the temporary expansion of the subsidies to expire will force millions off their health insurance. It could also drive healthy people to leave the marketplace, spiking premiums for those remaining in the pool.
Jason Levitis from Urban Institute, whom committee Democrats tapped as a witness in the hearing, said that Congress should extend the enhanced PTC regardless of any other health care reforms.
“It’s certainly worth considering longer-term options to lower health care costs. Unfortunately, the calendar has overtaken the opportunity to implement such changes for 2026,” he said. “[P]utting in a place a new policy would require months or years of implementation time…At this point, the only feasible option is a clean extension of the existing enhancements.”
Cassidy responded that Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill has already established under law that people on Bronze plans are eligible for HSAs.
“I am asking that we move from our entrenched positions. Right now, it’s like trench warfare,” Cassidy said. “If a Republican proposes it, reflexively Democrats oppose, and vice versa.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.