Um…you follow me so I assume you understand that I’m the one who wrote both the story and the headline?

There’s no telling how many similar stories are not being told for fear of retaliation.

By now, everyone should realize Trump is not going after violent criminals or the worst of the worst—he is terrorizing everyone, including U.S. citizens, and their loved ones.

I am calling for Wilmer’s immediate release from NWIPC—he has NO criminal convictions, he poses no threat to the community, and he urgently needs appropriate medical care since ICE is denying him the treatment he requires.

I am grateful for Wilmer’s willingness to let me share his story.

...or by subscribing on Substack:

charlesgaba.substack.com

...or by subscribing on Substack:

charlesgaba.substack.com

P.S. As always, if you find my healthcare wonkery useful you can support it here...

secure.actblue.com/donate/acasi...

P.S. As always, if you find my healthcare wonkery useful you can support it here...

secure.actblue.com/donate/acasi...

In any event, here's what The Graph® looks like so far for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period.

The real question is what the ~10.8M people who let themselves be auto-renewed last year do (or don't do). Ideally, ALL of them will ACTIVELY log in & select a plan BEFORE December 15th.

In any event, here's what The Graph® looks like so far for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period.

The real question is what the ~10.8M people who let themselves be auto-renewed last year do (or don't do). Ideally, ALL of them will ACTIVELY log in & select a plan BEFORE December 15th.

I mean, that's a good thing--Oregon isn't splitting off onto their own exchange until next year--but you should have been autorenewed in the past if you didn't take any action.

Not that I recommend doing that, mind you; you SHOULD actively select each year. But by default it generally auto-renews.

Which state do you live in?

It’s also worth noting that millions of people are being forced into downgrading to a worse plan with higher deductibles etc (myself included).

That means they may not be hit badly immediately…until they start getting those deductible & copay bills a few months later. But that dilutes the impact.

I don't know exactly when they published the report, but it seems to have been after 4pm today, suggesting that CMS was actually trying to bury it.

The fact that there's also no accompanying press release crowing about how successful OEP is going adds to this suspicion...but we'll see what happens.

I don't know exactly when they published the report, but it seems to have been after 4pm today, suggesting that CMS was actually trying to bury it.

The fact that there's also no accompanying press release crowing about how successful OEP is going adds to this suspicion...but we'll see what happens.

Remember, too, that all of this would be happening right as the Continuing Resolution agreed to last month once again expires, putting the federal government at risk of shutting down *again.*

Remember, too, that all of this would be happening right as the Continuing Resolution agreed to last month once again expires, putting the federal government at risk of shutting down *again.*

--Most freak the fuck out; some manage to switch to a cheaper plan starting in February (most states will have until 1/15 to do this), but perhaps half of them (4M or so?) find they can't afford ANY policy & drop coverage altogether.

However, that would all happen AFTER Trump got his big headlines.