Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues made the high cost of living a key focus during the 2024 campaigns. Their promise to reduce everyday prices played a significant role in winning control of the White House and Congress. However, governing is a different ballgame. The president-elect and other Republicans will soon face challenges as their commitment to lower prices clashes with their opposition to government spending on health care and their antipathy towards Obamacare.

Understanding the CBO's Findings

The Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) recent finding about the cost of health insurance for those buying private coverage through the Affordable Care Act is crucial. In 2021, President Joe Biden and Democrats boosted subsidies with extra money due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to a surge in enrollment at the marketplaces. But these extra subsidies are set to expire after 2025. If they lapse, premiums will rise significantly. CBO analysts predict a 4% increase in 2026 and close to 8% each year thereafter. This would result in about an extra $700 per person in out-of-pocket costs annually. Some buyers may choose to pay the higher costs or shift to less generous plans, while others may drop their coverage altogether. The number of uninsured Americans is expected to rise by 2.2 million in 2026 and nearly 4 million in the following years.

The Impact on Different Demographics

Take West Virginia, for example. A 60-year-old couple with moderate income would have to pay an extra $40,000 per year out of pocket if they want to keep their coverage. And those with low incomes, who currently have no out-of-pocket premium costs, would be charged hundreds of dollars. This shows how the expiration of subsidies can have a significant impact on different segments of the population.

The Republican Dilemma

Republicans have their reasons for not extending the subsidies. They believe big government health care programs do more harm than good and that these subsidies increase the risk of fraud. They have never been fully supportive of the Affordable Care Act, even if it has become more popular. But if premiums jump on their watch, they will have to explain it to the voters. The total 10-year cost of tax cuts they have promised would be in the trillions of dollars, dwarfing the cost of extending the health insurance subsidies.

The Democratic Response

Explaining higher premiums will be challenging for Republicans if they are already defending a rise in consumer goods prices. Democrats are highlighting the choice Republicans are making – to reject an extension of health insurance assistance for millions of working and middle-class Americans while pushing for tax cuts that benefit corporations more. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said, "At a time when Americans are already facing higher prices, we should do everything we can to lower costs when and where we can." Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) added that "Republicans have an opportunity to end their ideological crusade against the Affordable Care Act and work in a bipartisan manner to make health care more affordable for working families, but instead they seem poised to hand another big tax break to corporations and the wealthy."Don't let the free press fade away. HuffPost is committed to providing free, fair news. Your support is crucial. Whether you contribute once or regularly, it makes a difference. You've supported HuffPost before, and we need your help again. Thank you for playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.