Opinion: $27,000 a year for health insurance. How can we afford that?
We’re having the wrong debate about health care.
From The Times
December 16, 2025

Health care costs are crushing Americans, writes Zack Cooper. The debate over whether to extend the expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies has consumed lawmakers over the past two months, precipitated a government shutdown and sparked Republican infighting.

A black-and-white photo of a doctor using a stethoscope to check a patient’s chest. Overlaid atop the photo are rows of prices with plus signs between each.

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Opinion

Unfortunately, it’s the wrong debate. Read the guest essay.

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