As you know, Donald Trump and the Republicans have repealed, in effect, the federal subsidies that made health insurance affordable to me here in Connecticut. As a consequence, I face a dire choice in the coming months: pay unsustainable monthly premiums or go without. As I have reported before, most recently last week, I’m not alone. Here’s Charles Gaba in an interview with me:

“I estimate gross premium hikes (for those not currently receiving subsidies) will average around 23 percent, while the healthcare policy analysts at KFF estimate that net increases – that is, what the enrollees actually pay after federal tax credits are applied – will increase by an average of 75 percent,” the health policy expert told me.

“There’s about 1.8 million unsubsidized enrollees on-exchange and 1-2 million off-exchange, who will be hit with the 23 percent average. Meanwhile, there’s around 21 million currently subsidized enrollees who will face the 75 percent average … and again, in many cases it will be much more than that: 100 percent, 200 percent, 300 percent or more for the same policy they’re currently enrolled in.”

Despite this, I am fortunate. While most people can’t work more than they already do, I can sell more subscriptions. I can also ask those who already subscribe to chip in a little more than they do.

I figure if every Editorial Board subscriber puts just $6 in the tip jar, that would come close to overcoming the deficit, though of course that won’t cover the entire cost. If you’d rather put more than $6 in, well, that would be super. There is no bottom to the tip jar! Many of you have already been so generous. Thank you! I’m sooo grateful! None of this would be possible without you.

THANK YOU!!! —John Stoehr

(PS: If you click the headline, you’ll see one of the classic illustrations by ER Stoehr, “Dancing Apples,” drawn when she was about 7. You do more than support me. You support her, too!)

CLICK HERE TO PUT $6 IN THE TIP JAR. THANKS!