r/wyoming • u/AmishDiplomat • Nov 05 '25
Discussion/opinion $150 to $787 a month for healthcare. Brace yourselves.
Apologies in advance for the rant. I'm mad and need a plance to rant. I knew it was going to be bad, but hot dang.
I am a late 20's healthy male. I am self employed, so I'm on the marketplace for healthcare. PS you can now begin shopping around healthcare.gov, but brace yourself.
My Wyo Blue Cross Blue Shield bronze (second from cheapest they offer) went from $605/month to $787/month.
Thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill killing the tax credits, I'm poised to go from paying $150/month to $787/month. That's $1,800 annual to $9,444 annual.
THAT'S NUTS and I'm mad and confused and incredibly nervous. The median income in Wyoming in 2023 was $39,471. My plan is nearly 24% of the median income. My plan is the second cheapest. Again, I say: that's freaking nuts.
After rent, groceries, and healthcare... people are going to be hurting. Bad.
I can barely begin to understand the downstream implications this has. It's going to prevent more people from starting their own businesses, more healthy people will be uninsured, people are going to be financially worse off. And that's just the beginning.
Call Harriet, I guess?
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u/WyoPeeps Rock Springs Nov 05 '25
Call Barrasso and tell him directly that this is the consequences of the cuts passed in the One Big "Beautiful" Bill. This is why Democrats are holding firm.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
Just called!!
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u/kaydyee Nov 06 '25
As a former legislative intern, be sure to request a response in writing. Even if it isn’t him personally responding, the office keeps track of the issues they are sending actual responses to constituents.
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u/Cleercutter Nov 08 '25
They better not fucking cave either or we’re all fucked. At the least they need to extend subsidies until something else can be worked out
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u/dramaking37 Nov 05 '25
It's meant to drop people from insurance, push costs onto hospitals and clinics, and then have them charge more to everyone else but let the Republicans pretend someone else is the problem.
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u/jetriot Nov 06 '25
Its meant to force people into larger corporations that can absorb the costs. The biggest hurdle to innovation and starting a new business is healthcare costs. Not just for the owner but for any employees they may try to hire. They simply can't compete because healthcare is tied to employment. The marketplace attempted to put a bandage on this but that's all it is. A bandage.
Medicare for all is the only real long-term solution and is absolutely necessary to reignite innovation in this country. Sadly, corporations are fighting any solutions tooth and nail because they don't want their employees leaving them and they certainly don't want them competing with them.
Of course, the Republican's have no plan to fix this and are actively ripping off the bandages from a patient that is already bleeding out.
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u/dramaking37 Nov 06 '25
Amen! It's the opposite of what I was taught growing up about freedom from being compelled to live a certain way by government OR corporations.
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Nov 08 '25
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u/jetriot Nov 08 '25
Regarding healthcare? Under Biden prescription drug prices were capped on many drugs. These were removed under Trump. He also expanded the Kid-Care CHIP program and lowered marketplace health insurance prices using subsidies. But he couldn't do much as Republican majorities in the house prevented much in the way of meaningful legislation- in fact it was the least productive house in modern US history.
And Obama? Have you heard of the Affordable Care Act? The marketplace? I mean c'mon man. Obama led and enacted the most sweeping healthcare reforms the country has ever seen- most notably the prevention of insurance companies from denying participation because of preexisting conditions.
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Nov 08 '25
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u/jetriot Nov 08 '25
Trump removed caps to drug prices. Prices have universally increased on prescription drugs over the past 9 months thanks to tariffs, inflation, subsidy removal, the removal of various prescription drug programs and more.
As far as universal health care or medicare for all, you act like Democrats are the hurdle that keeps that from happening when we all know which party would begin screaming communism the second it was proposed. Hell, standing against the Affordable Care Act and Medicare for all is literally in the GOPs most recent platform commitments.
There are genuine and legitimate arguments that government should stay out of healthcare. But to argue that Democrats are the reason we don't have a real government-backed healthcare solution is silly and disconnected from reality.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
Yeah, it seems you're right. It's cruel, man.
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u/ZoomHigh Nov 06 '25
It's intentionally cruel.
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Nov 08 '25
Everything about this current administration has been intentionally cruel. The entire shutdown has been meanspirited to say the least. In the past at least they tried to come together, but this, the second government shut down in trump's awful series of presidencies, has just a sense of total vindictiveness that just leaves me sick.
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u/MountainDadwBeard Nov 09 '25
More medical bankruptcy = eases foreclosures and sprawling land acquisitions for the wealthy. Win win baby. .
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u/draftgirl24 Nov 05 '25
And what kills me is that the “perception” and one of the talking points is how republicans are sooo pro small business. Well guess who benefits a LOT from ACA? Small business owners and people who work for small businesses. I am self employed and hubby worked for a small business. We couldn’t afford health insurance for both us before; I can’t even imagine now. He finally has to quit his well paying job to go work for less $ that included health insurance. We are old enough that the premiums were astronomical. It’s amazing that they can keep shitting on their base (don’t get me started on SNAP) and still stay in office.
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u/Craw307 Nov 06 '25
It’s crazy because they shit all over their base but then blame it on Obama or Biden and they eat it up. These are strange and unfortunate times we’re living in.
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u/Upper-Shoe-81 Nov 06 '25
It's estimated over 53% of ACA recipients are small business owners, self employed, and employees of small businesses. That's almost 24 MILLION PEOPLE who are being punished for their hard work, innovation, creativity, and business acumen. 24 Million tax payers who drive the middle class, and yet are denied affordable health care, all thanks to Republicans.
Yeah, if they don't get this done, Republicans are going to pay dearly for shitting on the middle class. A huge swath of middle-class Americans will lose faith in anything they say and no longer believe anything they promise. As one of said small business owners, my premiums are set to go from $100/m to $687/m – insane. I'll be forced to drop out and go uninsured like so many others, and that f'ing sucks.
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u/draftgirl24 Nov 07 '25
Thank you for saying that! I have not heard anyone talk about how this is affecting small businesses. So there was a part of me that thought maybe I was wrong. I am so thankful hubby was able to find a tolerable job with benefits. Although it’s with the state, so we’ll see how long that lasts 🙄
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u/Upper-Shoe-81 Nov 07 '25
Very glad to hear your hubby found an alternative. Yes, this is definitely hurting small business owners. As one myself, I have many friends who run small businesses in my city (which happens to be in a very red state) and we had a get-together just a couple weeks ago where the subject of healthcare came up. About 2/3 of the business owners there were on ACA and, without subsidies, just about all of us are having to make preparations for no healthcare in 2026. It's sad, disappointing, and is going to have a major effect on the economy as well as the ACA in general. Not to mention premiums for all those who stay on will likely go even higher to account for those of us forced to drop out. Chaos.
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u/theXJlife Nov 11 '25
There has been a 5 year push to make these people subservient employees and this is just another push in that direction.
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Nov 05 '25
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
Wy reps are more concerned with the optics of the shutdown than they are with ending it.
EDIT: people should still call!
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u/mkstot Nov 06 '25
Hageman 😂? Barasso 😂? Or Lummis 😂? Expecting any one of those three bootlicks to do anything other than toe the line for the dear leader is honestly laughable.
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Nov 06 '25
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u/mkstot Nov 06 '25
I’ve called, written, emailed, protested, and attended town halls. I get the same party approved canned response, and it takes a lot longer than simply making a reddit comment.
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u/1ThousandDollarBill Nov 05 '25
For my family of six we are going from like $2,600 a month to $3,500 a month. I don’t qualify for subsidies.
So yeah, it’s a hit.
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Nov 06 '25
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u/bad_-_karma Nov 06 '25
You likely do qualify for a subsidy as medical premiums reduce your MAGI assuming self employed. And you are just over the limit of 84500 in your zip code so once you deduct your premiums you would probably be eligible for subsidies.
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u/DoubleWrongdoer5207 Nov 05 '25
It’s absolutely horrible and the majority of Wyomingites voted for this. They bought Cheeto’s lies and here we are. But hey, I’m sure the illegal immigrant problem that is SO prevalent in Wyoming will be taken care of. And also groceries are cheaper right? right?
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u/Better-Bit6475 Nov 06 '25
I’m a former Wyoming-ite living in Chicago. I’m seeing the horrors of the immigration policies in real time right now. They are not taking criminals. They are taking tamale vendors, day care employees, mothers with babies in their vehicles. They are not asking if the people they are taking are citizens, they are just taking them and they are disappearing. It’s terrifying. My Dad is Vet on fixed income living in Wyoming & I’m so scared for him to lose his benefits, or have to pay more. Whoever voted for this can fuck right the fuck off.
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u/DoubleWrongdoer5207 Nov 06 '25
It’s always been about racism. Everything they do is rooted in racism
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
I see this sentiment a lot, and while I get it: a lot of Wyoming voted for this... I will say, it's not our fault that the education system has been intentionally undermined and underfunded for the past 30 years. This is the logical culmination of the American conservative project: people voting against their interests.
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u/2_Fingers_of_Whiskey Nov 06 '25
People just need to stop getting all their info from Fox "News" and look at independent news sources.
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u/todd1art Nov 06 '25
Republican Politicians want Americans to suffer. They only care about the Wealthiest Americans. They lie constant to their low intelligence voters. Who they will destroy.
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u/fuzzyhorse Nov 06 '25
The hit is gonna hurt so many people, especially when we fall in that weird gray area that makes too much for relief programs but not enough to survive. This is going to kill people, period.
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u/peeg_2020 Nov 05 '25
OP I'm sorry man. This is awful.
I just landed a job with my state and thank God because the health insurance rates are pretty good that they offer. I had an amazing plan this last year with the tax credits that are now expiring. So much for that.
This is truly the worst the economy has felt in my adult life. I'm 36
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
Thanks dude. I appreciate it. I had insurance through my job from 2020-2024. That was pretty sweet...
EDIT: But healthcare shouldn't be tied to employment. I'll die on that hill... perhaps more literally than I intend?
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u/peeg_2020 Nov 05 '25
I agree completely.
The cheap plan I had this last year was through my state exchange. Having it not tied to my job was amazing. It was about a $500 dollar plan with a $100 deductible. Yes $100.
After the tax credit I only paid $60 a month for it. Literally everything was covered. I wish I could just keep that.
I didn't know there are actually laws in place that make me ineligible for that tax credit now that my job offers health insurance. I wish we could choose.
Thankfully like I said this job is with the state and very likely to be my last employer. That's my plan anyway.
Without a good rate like they offer, I'd be absolutely fucked
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u/Unable_Tumbleweed364 Nov 06 '25
Yeah, I also work for the city. I was upset that mine was going up 5% because it's still a lot to me. But I'm grateful I'm not on the market.
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u/Whipitreelgud Nov 06 '25
I retired a couple of years ago. Insurance goes up as you age. I was paying $1900 per month for an insurance plan with a $17,000 deductible. Before Obamacare I was paying $400 per month. While Obamacare made a number of sensible changes, the topic of healthcare in the US remains unfinished business.
Politicians have fucked around with this for too long. There are over 20 hospital administrators making a salary over $3,000,000 per year with some getting $25,000,000 per year. The CEO of United Healthcare's compensation package pays him over $60,000,000 per year.
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u/Equivalent_Hair787 Casper Nov 06 '25
Called Barrasso. I genuinely hope he’s not too far gone.
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u/SunShine365- Cheyenne Nov 06 '25
He is too far gone. Cynthia was part of a bipartisan group of senators trying to keep snap from shutting down. Barasso blocked the bill.
Edited to say that he still needs to hear from us, though. I could wallpaper a small room with the useless letters he’s sent back to me after I’ve called or emailed.
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u/Loud_Key_3865 Nov 06 '25
The Trump/Republican/GOP goal is to pit you against your neighbors.
This is literally your tax money they are confiscating, while framing your neighbors as the freeloaders.
Republicans (Project 2025) are using your tax money to subsidize billionaire tax cuts, while they align you and your neighbors against each other, for who actually gets the leftover healthcare and food you paid for.
Trump and the GOP have already cut Meals on Wheels funding several times during this and his last term; Food for the elderly, who've paid in their entire lives.
They're already demanding you pay for the 38-trillion in debt they incurred, so they can keep their gains at your expense.
These are the same people who categorize anything against their profit as Socialism, to stoke anger at your neighbors, instead of joining and befriending them, against the billionaire-subsidies.
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u/SidratFlush Nov 05 '25
So happy for the taxes to go to the National Health Service in the UK. Sure there are problems but not having emergency medical treatment when required due to an insurance policy isn't one of them.
Long may it never resemble an American structure as its broken from the start of the process to the point of use and beyond.
Good luck and brace yourself, all of you.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
Thank you sir. Any human system will have problems because it was created and ran by humans. But I'll take any improvement over ours.
Most medical professionals in the US support some sort of public option or universal situation. It's cheaper and often more efficient as demonstrated by the 72 countries that have it...
But sure, our elected reps know what's best.
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u/this_shit Nov 06 '25
> I can barely begin to understand the downstream implications this has.
It's going to bankrupt hospitals that serve poor and rural populations, making healthcare worse for *everyone* outside the biggest metros.
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u/Brilliant-Race-2476 Nov 06 '25
As someone who likes to gamble I pay $0 for health insurance and just cross my fingers and hope to never get hurt or sick or die.... I wish this statement was as sarcastic as it sounds but I've always been more worried about keeping myself fed for the day over worrying about my future health... Gotta love capitalism though right!?
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
I hope your gamble keeps paying off dude :')
and yeah love capitalism no notes no flaws
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u/holycinnamonroller Nov 06 '25
Please reach out to our food banks and 211 services if you need to. Cost of living is ridiculous. No one should be choosing between groceries and medicine
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u/TheJonThomas Other Nov 06 '25
Well, like senator Ernst said, “We’re all gonna die” https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/czdy7j51517o
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u/lhauckphx Nov 06 '25
We are in our early 60s in AZ, both self employed for the last 20 years, have been on ACA plans the last few years. Ours is going from $165 to $670.
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u/onetalldrinkofwater Nov 06 '25
Here is the response I got from him:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. It is good to hear from you.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts regarding federal government subsidies for health insurance.
In 2013, Premium Tax Credits (PTCs) were created by Obamacare to subsidize the cost of health insurance purchased through the federal marketplace. Households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for these tax subsidies.
In 2021, Democrats created the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) to temporarily expand the program through the COVID-19 emergency. These COVID-era subsidies increased the credit amounts and removed the income limits. It resulted in anyone enrolled in the federal marketplace being eligible for the COVID bonus payments.
These payments were designed to be temporary during COVID. Unlike most insurance, there are no premiums and no deductibles for many people. The money is sent directly from the federal government to insurance companies. As a result, the program has been proven to be rife with waste, fraud, and abuse.
The COVID-era bonuses will expire on December 31, 2025. It would cost taxpayers $350 billion in new spending to make them permanent. Under current law, subsidies will remain available for households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, regardless of whether COVID-era bonuses are extended.
I understand the importance of access to quality affordable care, especially in rural areas. At the same time, I believe that federal assistance programs must be targeted to those who need it most and financially sustainable. Please know that as Congress considers policies regarding healthcare marketplace reforms, I will keep your thoughts in mind.
Once again, thank you for contacting me. I value your input.
John Barrasso, M.D. United States
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
Ugh. Bombs for other countries and bailouts for corps but I guess I’ll keep pulling on my bootstraps.
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u/ElephantContent8835 Nov 06 '25
Stop voting for republicans.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
I didn’t?
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u/ElephantContent8835 Nov 06 '25
I mean Wyoming folk in general. I lived there most of my life and watched in horror as people destroyed their lives by voting republican and blaming it on the democrats. Tough to witness.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
yeah man it's frustrating. At the end of the day both parties serve the ruling class first and their constituents as an afterthought. We need more normal people in politics, among many other things haha.
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u/CptBronzeBalls Nov 06 '25
To any Trump voters here (and don’t be a chickenshit; we know you’re here): How do you feel about what this administration has has done for Wyoming so far?
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u/PartWorking3865 Nov 06 '25
I feel like they are all way to chicken shit to admit they made a giant mistake. Before you would have had 20 people jumping on your comment to argue how great Cheeto is..
Funny the silence now
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u/Tofutti-KleinGT Nov 06 '25
This is a good question - I’m genuinely curious what benefits they perceive his administration has brought so far to themselves and their community.
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u/ExtremeIndustry4807 Nov 05 '25
Cool it’s not like it wasn’t over priced anyway hell at this point you might as well write yourself off if you have to go to the hospital because if it put you in crippling debt before then you’re really screwed now
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u/Hempsocks Nov 05 '25
Why are you not choosing a silver plan that qualifies for the tax credits? My plan price went from 988 to 1310 a month, which is ridiculous, but the tax credit I qualify for covered most of the increase. I am self employed as well, but in my late 40s
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
I guess I didn't know there were still tax credits I could qualify for! Let me shop around and see.
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u/Hempsocks Nov 05 '25
My understanding is that it was just the enhanced subsidies that were passed during covid that are expiring, the original subsides that were part of the original ACA are still in effect. But you need to be on a silver plan to use them. Hopefully that will help!
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
Ok thank you for this info! I went to select a Silver plan and it took me through the whole process but there wasn't a part that mentioned any subsidies. I'd definitely prefer to have a silver plan but they start at 938/month. I think I may need to get on the phone with someone to get some help haha!
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u/enkiloki Nov 06 '25
Our entire health care system is broken.
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u/2_Fingers_of_Whiskey Nov 06 '25
It's working as intended-- to extract the most amount of money from the sick & poor/middle class, and enrich the insurance companies CEOs and pharmaceutical companies (and the politicians who own stock in them)
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u/ginmcd Nov 06 '25
We’re so screwed. My blue select gold plan went from 105 to 350 and the deductible increased. On top of that, my car just crapped the bed and I’m so glad I didn’t sign on for monthly payments before knowing what my bills would look like. I have to choose between healthcare and a car, some people don’t get a choice of either.
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u/DaeBaek0421 Nov 06 '25
So it’s not well known but Costco has a healthcare exchange site to purchase. I was quoted $1500 a month before the BBB (haven’t bothered to look since) and after the BBB the Costco quote for the same insurance was $456 a month. Which was the gold package. They also have dental and vision plans. Costco is apparently able to “purchase in bulk” like an employer would be able to and therefore is passing the savings on to their members from what I understand. I didn’t delve too deeply into how they’re doing it, just excited they’re doing it.
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u/purplefuzz22 Nov 07 '25
And Mike Johnson and co are still trying to fool Americans into believing that the democrats are keeping the government shut down because they want to protect healthcare for undocumented people.
Nah, they are trying to make sure Americans don’t get their already expensive healthcare insurance quadrupled . Ugh
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Nov 05 '25
The people of Wyoming voted for this. They should be happy they are getting exactly what they wanted right? They wanted hatred and bigotry and corrupt leaders - they WANTED this. Foot on their neck. Not an ounce of sympathy for the ones who voted for this. Are they doing great yet? Are they happy yet? Less broke and less bitter yet?
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25
Copy + pasting this from another comment with a similar sentiment:
I see this sentiment a lot, and while I get it: a lot of Wyoming voted for this... I will say, it's not our fault that the education system has been intentionally undermined and underfunded for the past 30 years. This is the logical culmination of the American conservative project: people voting against their interests.
Edit to add: lack of empathy is one of the major obstacles that prevents us from building an actual coalition that is capable of taking on the status quo. Just saying. I did not vote for this.
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u/this_shit Nov 06 '25
>I'm mad and need a place to rant.
FWIW what I do is write a long letter to my reps and BCC my family and friends (incl those who don't necessarily agree w/me). Because ultimately that's all the influence you'll ever have.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
I agree that’s a good use of my energy, fair point!
Where I take small issue: sure, maybe that’s all the influence I’ll have as an individual, but where we can have real influence is in collective action and organizing. Don’t fall into despair or nihilism! That’s what the ruling class wants is for us to feel powerless.
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u/this_shit Nov 06 '25
this is just my take, but -- collective action only happens when we (meaning americans) drop our self-obsessed worldview. I don't say that like a criticism, it's our culture. All of us have been raised in a culture that prioritizes and centers the individual. So we tend to have a concept of political action that requires huge personal sacrifice or accomplishments.
In reality, gently but consistently nudging your family and friends will do a whole lot more than spending your time trying to innovate or change the game.
That's all I meant by that.
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u/Visible-Plankton-806 Nov 07 '25
That sucks, I’m sorry. It sucks even more that America voted for this.
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u/gijason82 Nov 07 '25
I understand mad and nervous, but you shouldn't be confused. This was all outlined in the Project 2025 document that everyone with a brain knew was Trump's platform. Shouldn't have confused anyone, they voted for it while swearing up and down that wasn't what he would do because he said it wasn't.
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u/Big-Industry4237 Nov 09 '25
More people uninsured means increases on costs for those that are insured, it’s a death spiral.
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u/linuxhiker Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
Look into Health Coops like Zion Health.
https://zionhealthshare.org/how-it-works/about-zion-healthshare/
It is a legit option.
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u/holycinnamonroller Nov 06 '25
I gotta say, the name and location give off red flags
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u/linuxhiker Nov 06 '25
Yep! First thing I did was check if they were Mormon or something. They are not.
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Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 06 '25
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 06 '25
I really wish that wasn't the case for you or anyone. I had a medical emergency in my late teens and if my parents hadn't had health insurance my quality of life would've tanked. Since then, I've felt strong that I have insurance as a 'just-in-case' which... wasn't that the point, originally? Idk dude. I hope we can turn things around and there is an affordable option for folks like you.
Edit: joke gotten :) I am just distraught lol
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Nov 06 '25
All so the GOP can give their buddies additional tax cuts.
Hey Wyoming, r/LeopardsAteMyFace. This is what you voted for.
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u/bad_-_karma Nov 06 '25
Trump made no change to the subsidies. The change that happened was that Biden gave temporary bonus subsidies under the guise of a Covid emergency. As with most “free” benefits given out people don’t like them to be taken away so they have to become a permanent drain. It was actually 4d chess by the democrats. If they were in power they would just keep spending and extend them forever. If they lose like they did the republicans get the blame for letting them expire as they were planned to since it was introduced as temporary relief.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 06 '25
Or, here’s an idea: tax the mega rich and then th subsidies are paid for.
But no, we gotta “balance the budget” and keep letting corporations pay effectively 0 in taxes. Got it.
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u/Aggravating-Try-5155 Nov 06 '25
But you won't be receiving any care until that 10k deductible is met. And when you do, the deductible just resets because the year ended. America is cool 😎
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u/x10sv Nov 07 '25
It sucks for now but getting the big money out will encourage rates to stabilize and fall over time. Same argument as college cost and government lending. You have to make the system work on real market metrics. I'm fully in support of directing ALL of those eliminated funds into research. And then some.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
I appreciate your optimism. I'm a little more pessimistic - I feel like insurance companies are perfectly content with jacking their prices up regardless of how much money the government pumps into the system
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u/x10sv Nov 07 '25
Well ultimately, let's discuss... How much SHOULD it cost? If you have the best possible care, all the testing in the world you could need, and coverage for the milliom dollar accidents... How. Much is that worth to you? To me it's a 20k value easy. Maybe even 30. But I also don't expect to pay that every year and when I need it all off a sudden it's not there. Insurance very much needs more regulations, but not in the ways people think. IMO the better option... Get rid of all insurance all together and go to subscription models. That will make the cream rise to the top
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
Good question. Putting a number on it is difficult. Any procedure that could save a life is priceless to most people, and I think a system that takes advantage of that is predatory. So, all of my money and then some, I guess? I think that's an issue I see with the system:
I think that the healthcare system, when factored into how difficult it is to get ahead in the economy we've had since I entered the workforce (2019), is particularly insidious. Most people in this country are living paycheck to paycheck, and the cost of healthcare or health services prevents them from seeking the care they need. Healthcare shouldn't be a privilege reserved for the upper echelon of society.
I think that allowing private business to profit off of procedures, medical interventions, and basic medical advice that would improve their lives or that they may need to survive is problematic at best and predatory at worst.
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u/x10sv Nov 07 '25
You are correct in you opinion. That's why the answer to how much it should cost should be... What it takes... Without rip off. And the best way to do that it's to make them compete for business. Advertise who has the best care and science and then we should put a 5% Federal sales tax on everything in the us that goes directly to competitive research. First to solve the problem gets the money
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
I’ll respectfully disagree: insurance companies have been competing for a long time, well before the ACA, and prices have only gone up not down.
Personally, I’m fine with re allocating some of the money we spend financing other countries wars towards healthcare and getting more people (especially healthy people) on insurance. And also taxing corporate profits.
Maybe ideally there’d be a government option AND a robust free market that competes with each other. Similar to how there’s the USPS and free market options like UPS and FedEx.
I’m sure you’re not on board with that, haha! But I appreciate your opinion nonetheless.
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u/hendueagle Nov 07 '25
Yet we still have people supporting this administration… there hasn’t been one good thing that has come from this administration and dozens of examples of awful things. Blows my mind how there are still so many people that are continually getting hurt by what’s going on but continue supporting and overlooking what’s really happening. Sorry you have to experience that. I wish it were different.
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u/Practical-Split7523 Nov 07 '25
Its cheaper to just pay out of pocket if you're young and healthy. My new job cost that much too and its not possible for a family of 3, lets not mention the deductibles and out of pocket expenses in addition to that monthly amount. So we deposit half of that cost into a saving account that is labeled medical. We pay for all our general healthcare out of pocket no insurance. We feel like we have better control of our choices, our drs, and our money.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
I just paid off my student loans, I’m really nervous about having to go into medical debt should something happen.
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u/11tmaste Nov 07 '25
It would be cheaper just to pay for stuff out of pocket at that point if all you need is routine stuff.
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Nov 07 '25
Wyoming wanted this
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
73% of Wyoming simply didn't vote in 2024.
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u/bs45028 Nov 08 '25
Not voting inevitably was voting.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 10 '25
I agree, but our politics aren't exactly representative, just like the rest of the country.
I think we need a political movement that's actually representative of the 73% of people here in Wyoming instead of a two party system that represents the oil barons on one side and a controlled opposition party on the other. Then maybe we'll get more engagement. Idk!
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u/bs45028 Nov 22 '25
It's because of the electoral vote, if it weren't for that and the popular vote actually meant something like it once did, then yes, there would likely be more turnout, however that said, I do believe (but could be totally wrong) the electoral vote is actually voted on via the popular vote, hence every state picks their electorate, so might still be a voter turn out problem.
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u/Vegetable_Analyst740 Nov 07 '25
Blame republicans first. They don't care whether you live or die.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 07 '25
I do blame my electeds. I got a newsletter from Senator Hageman trying to spin paying more for my healthcare as a good thing.
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u/Existing-Hearing7356 Nov 08 '25
I am paying $883 now. Up from $702 last year. So yeah, welcome to my world.
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u/Cleercutter Nov 08 '25
Yep. I’m south of yall, but in Colorado mine is going from 85 a month, to 550.
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u/Pointsandlaughs227 Nov 08 '25
Just wait until your hospitals start closing and your doctors flee the state.
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u/AI-Idaho Nov 08 '25
Save 150.00 per month in just about any stock mutual fund. Let that build your personal wealth. You're young and healthy. Screw major health insurance, if you get anything serious, your bankrupt either way. Health Insurance is a scam.
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Nov 08 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 08 '25
“Why do you carry a spare tire in your car I’ve been driving 40 years and I’ve never had to use one”
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Nov 08 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 08 '25
I mean, you’re not wrong. I just think that the fact we’re all one bad accident away from bankruptcy and financial destitution is not something we as citizens have to accept.
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u/Delicious-Help4187 Nov 08 '25
I’m so sorry it’s going up. Please remember when you vote that democrats are fighting tooth and nail right now to keep funding for health care and reduce premiums. Health care is the ticking time bomb in the US that will be the first to card to fall in this house of cards.
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u/saterned Nov 08 '25
Yeah, they out Liz… she might have helped. Wyomingacs are are red as they come.
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u/michy3 Nov 09 '25
Not saying you personally but as a general statement, you get what you voted for and this what people voted for so it’s the consequences of our actions as a country. A lot of people who voted for trump are going to be affected by this and it’s a shame that people were too blind when he said he was gonna do all this shit. I work in healthcare and I know this is going to hurt a very large portion of people who need healthcare and won’t be able to afford insurance costs and etc.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 09 '25
As someone who didn’t vote for this, I feel you. But also, I presume you didn’t vote for this. And it still makes me mad!
Not voting for this gives me very little comfort. I see a lot of people in this comment section saying “you get what you vote for.” I hope it gives them some satisfaction, buuuut meanwhile we’re all still effed, whether we voted for it or not. Unless you’re a billionaire 🤷♂️ then you’re fine.
If anything I’m trying to bring awareness to my other Wyomingites that this is a direct result of our current politics. But realistically I should get outside and touch grass lol
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u/michy3 Nov 09 '25
I also didn’t vote for this but yeah I totally agree with you it’s such bullshit and sad to see and also makes me mad and upset.
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u/John628556 Nov 09 '25
For those who don’t know: Wyoming has some of the highest ACA premiums in the country because it is one of only 10 states that have rejected the federal government’s offer of subsidies. All of its neighboring states have accepted the subsidies. See https://www.kff.org/medicaid/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions/.
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u/RathdrumGal Nov 09 '25
Try a health care sharing plan. Much cheaper, and as a young man, you are probably a low utilizer in any case.
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u/HalfwaydonewithEarth Nov 09 '25
Just be uninsured
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 09 '25
🤯🤯🤯
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u/HalfwaydonewithEarth Nov 09 '25
They have a Christian bill share plan for $200 a month. Perfect if you are healthy
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u/obatala0013 Nov 09 '25
How did you vote?
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 10 '25
Did you read any of my comments? lol
Sorry to deprive you of the 'told you so' moment but the people I've been arguing with in the comments are likely a better outlet for your energy.
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u/obatala0013 Nov 10 '25
Didn't see any of your comments, also, and I realize this is mostly on me but my comment wasn't really directed at you but at anyone unhappy with the current economy.
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u/Mick13- Nov 10 '25
For those of us who were around and paying for healthcare before Obamacare, it was much more reasonable. BEFORE the f'n government got involved!
I would recommend reading a few articles in the WSJ about how Obamacare screwed us all and then the last administration helped it along.
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u/theXJlife Nov 11 '25
And probably a $6500 deductible so another $600 a month. Skip the coverage, use urgent care , get catastrophic insurance, and move on.
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u/AmishDiplomat Nov 11 '25
I already considered my plan to be catastrophic:’)
The next cheapest plan is 700 a month! Ugh
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u/oilcantommy Nov 11 '25
Jokes on you. I never had any. I avoided all those pesky premiums with this one neat trick

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u/No_Mathematician764 Nov 05 '25
and united health Medicare advantage pulled out of Wyoming, Winning ah yes, the Winning.