Latinos get little, insurers get millions. End the ACA subsidies.

The latest fight in D.C. revolves around the scheduled expiration of the Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions at the end of the year.

It’s a big fight; Democrats even shut down the government over it.

But here’s the hard truth: These subsidies create a system ripe for fraud and waste, shoveling billions in taxpayer money to big insurers by enrolling millions of new enrollees who barely use the service, all while driving up the cost of health insurance.

Latinos, like all Americans, want a truly affordable health care system, not one that subsidizes the profit margins of big insurance companies and middlemen.

That’s one reason why Congress should let these subsidies end.

What did the extensions do?

The ACA subsidy expansions were sold as a temporary Covid relief measure that would (allegedly) help out Americans in a time of need.

Approved in a partisan vote, Washington greatly extended the ACA subsidies by effectively eliminating many of the guardrails and requirements that were in place to prevent the program from being abused.

Here’s how:

• Before 2021, the ACA subsidies were limited only to families who were in true need of government help to pay their premiums.
• After 2021, Congress removed income caps, meaning even millionaires qualify for taxpayer-funded health care.

The result? A more expensive program, riddled with waste, that benefits big insurance companies over the everyday American.

Phantom enrollees: When more isn’t merrier  

Supporters point to record enrollment numbers, noting that the number of enrollees went from 4 million to 24.3 million. But these numbers aren’t really as impressive as they might seem at first.

• Nearly half of new ACA enrollees are “phantom enrollees” — people who never use their insurance, don’t stay covered, or only sign up because it’s free.
• In 2025, 6.4 million people were “improperly enrolled,” meaning they probably didn’t qualify or didn’t even know they were on a plan.
• Nearly 4 in 10 enrollees filed a grand total of zero (!) medical claims under the ACA subsidies scheme.

Any government program where nearly 40% of participants don’t use the service is a waste of taxpayer money and fails hardworking families.

Big insurance wins while families lose

So, who’s really benefitting from these subsidies? Not working families, not the taxpayers, but big insurance companies and people who’re gaming the system.

Eliminating the guardrails for ACA subsidies created a system that’s ripe for waste and abuse, one where the taxpayer subsidizes programs for people who don’t or shouldn’t qualify and where big insurance companies reap millions of dollars.

This nonsensical system isn’t cheap either. These subsidies could cost us $410 billion over the next decade.

It’s easy to see why so many people in Washington are fighting tooth and nail to make these subsidies permanent.

Insurance companies want to keep the cash flowing, and politicians want to claim they’re fighting for your health care.

The solution: You should be in charge

Latino families deserve a health care system that puts them in charge. Not one that rewards insurance companies and encourages fraud.

That’s why we believe in the Personal Option: reforms that give families more freedom, more choice, and more control over their health care.

It’s time for Congress to let these temporary subsidies expire and focus on real reforms that lower costs and empower families.

Latino communities are ready for a health care system that works for us, not for a few well-connected insurance companies.

Learn more about how a Personal Option will make your health care more affordable.

And tell your lawmaker to back policies that will put you in charge of your health care.