It's the Brian Larris show on WNYC. Good morning again, everyone. So this Saturday marks the start of the open enrollment period for this year for Americans who purchase your health insurance

through the Obamacare marketplace. As you know, this year there's going to be sticker shock

as the fight in Washington over renewing Affordable Care Act subsidies remains at a standstill.

When the Trump administration released a preview of the available plans on

health care.gov just yesterday, consumers saw their, saw their rates surge, quote, an average of

about 30 percent for a typical plan in states where the federal government manages markets

and an average of 17 percent in states that run their own markets. That per the New York

Times, we'll explain what the difference is. But we're also going to help you navigate what's

going on here and talk about the politics with Elizabeth Benjamin, Vice President of Health

Initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York

and co-founder of the Healthcare for All New York campaign.

And she also has done a lot of work as what they call a health care navigator,

helping people individually, at least in the past, work through their choices on the Obamacare market.

So, Elizabeth, always good to have you on the show.

Welcome back to WNYC.

Thank you so much.

I'm delighted to be here.

What does that 30% number mean?

What is the 17% number mean for states that run their own Obamacare Markets?

Yeah.

Well, unfortunately in New York, which runs its own Obamacare marketplace,

that premiums are expected to increase by 45% for people who are going to be losing these enhanced premium assistance.

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