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THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE

CBO Estimates Billions Lost to Obamacare Exchange Fraud

Updated: 9/19/2025

CBOObamacarehealthcarefraudsubsidies

What it is

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that improper claims for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could cost taxpayers as much as $15.5 billion in 2025. This revelation raises concerns about the integrity of the subsidy system, which has been criticized for encouraging enrollees to misreport their income.

Why it matters

  • The Congressional Budget Office CBO has estimated that improper claims for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act ACA could cost taxpayers as much as $15.5 billion in 2025
  • According to Paragon, enrollees with incomes just above the poverty level may inflate their income to qualify for subsidies, while those with higher incomes tend to understate their earnings to access richer benefits
  • This figure underscores the potential scale of the issue as lawmakers consider extending enhanced subsidies set to expire on December 31
  • They argue that the benefits of the program outweigh the risks of fraud
  • Despite the CBO's findings, some Republican lawmakers have expressed support for extending the enhanced subsidies

Key facts

Timeline & recent coverage

  • See related posts on our site; this explainer updates when new reporting appears
  • For deeper background, explore the sources below

Primary sources

Further reading & references

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