M.S. Bellows, Jr.
@msbellows.c.im.ap.brid.gy
Twitter diaspora. Agamemnon sucks: we do the fighting, he gets the girls. (Oregonian. Mediator/lawyer/writer; bylines in The Guardian, Alternet, HuffPost/OffTheBus […]
[bridged from https://c.im/@msbellows on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
[bridged from https://c.im/@msbellows on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
Reposted by M.S. Bellows, Jr.
To use a stylized, simplified example:
In 2025 insurance cost $100, in 2026 it's $125.
Because of subsidies you paid $50 in 2025, in 2026, $100.
The insurance company paid out $85 per capita in 2025, $106.25 in 2026.
This would read as 0% inflation, even though you're paying 100% more for insurance!
In 2025 insurance cost $100, in 2026 it's $125.
Because of subsidies you paid $50 in 2025, in 2026, $100.
The insurance company paid out $85 per capita in 2025, $106.25 in 2026.
This would read as 0% inflation, even though you're paying 100% more for insurance!
December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
To use a stylized, simplified example:
In 2025 insurance cost $100, in 2026 it's $125.
Because of subsidies you paid $50 in 2025, in 2026, $100.
The insurance company paid out $85 per capita in 2025, $106.25 in 2026.
This would read as 0% inflation, even though you're paying 100% more for insurance!
In 2025 insurance cost $100, in 2026 it's $125.
Because of subsidies you paid $50 in 2025, in 2026, $100.
The insurance company paid out $85 per capita in 2025, $106.25 in 2026.
This would read as 0% inflation, even though you're paying 100% more for insurance!
Reposted by M.S. Bellows, Jr.
It's even worse than I thought. The BLS calculates health insurance inflation through retained earnings. So it misses the subsidies entirely and doesn't correspond to the increase in the premium you pay, as long as total insurance payouts are in the same ratio!
www.bls.gov/cpi/addition...
www.bls.gov/cpi/addition...
improvements-cpi-health-insurance-index.htm
Improvements to the CPI Health Insurance Index
www.bls.gov
December 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It's even worse than I thought. The BLS calculates health insurance inflation through retained earnings. So it misses the subsidies entirely and doesn't correspond to the increase in the premium you pay, as long as total insurance payouts are in the same ratio!
www.bls.gov/cpi/addition...
www.bls.gov/cpi/addition...
Reposted by M.S. Bellows, Jr.
And in 2014, they did the same to Obama www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014...
Why major US TV networks didn't show Obama's immigration address
CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox stick with hit primetime shows but viewers saw the president’s address on Spanish-language channel Univision
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:30 PM
And in 2014, they did the same to Obama www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014...
Reposted by M.S. Bellows, Jr.
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
As Biden warned about democracy’s collapse, TV networks aired reruns
Broadcasters NBC, CBS and ABC usually air presidential prime-time addresses live. But they found Biden's Philadelphia speech more "political" than newsworthy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...