Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz downplayed on Wednesday the likely substantial increase in the amount Americans will pay for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) federal marketplace.

When asked at a press conference about the lack of a deal in Congress to extend expiring enhanced tax credits, Oz said he thinks they should expire because they were only intended for a short term to help Americans through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think we all agree that COVID has passed, so therefore COVID-era subsidies should also pass,” Oz said.

Pointing to figures released by CMS, Oz said the average American who purchases an ACA plan will pay $50 a month in 2026, even if the enhanced tax credits expire, an increase of only $13 from this year.

“S

See Full Page