U.S. Senator Jerry Moran says a new $222 million infusion of federal funding will provide critical relief for Kansas hospitals and help keep rural communities viable across the state.

During a recent interview, Moran discussed visits to hospitals in Russell and Belleville, where administrators echoed what he has heard statewide: Kansas hospitals are financially fragile, and the new funding arrives at a pivotal moment.

The dollars come through the Rural Health Transformation Act, included in the federal reconciliation package addressing Medicaid policy. Moran said lawmakers were concerned that changes to Medicaid reimbursement could further strain already vulnerable rural hospitals.

“I don’t think there’s a hospital in Kansas that’s not fragile,” Moran said. “The finances of our health care system are fragile as well. We were looking for ways to make certain that hospitals in our state did not suffer significant consequences financially.”

Moran said he advocated strongly for the program and pushed to ensure it did not require a state match — a key provision, he noted, that allows Kansas to fully access the funds. The state is expected to receive $222 million this year, with similar amounts projected annually for the next five years.

Those resources, Moran said, should help keep hospital doors open across Kansas, though he cautioned the funding will not make hospitals flush with cash.

“No hospital is going to be swimming in money,” he said. “But it’s certainly going to make staying in business and keeping the doors open a bit easier.”

Moran emphasized that health care access and agriculture are inseparable pillars of rural Kansas. Without hospitals, he said, communities risk losing pharmacies, businesses, and families.

“If our hospital doors close, there’s no pharmacy on Main Street,” Moran said. “Young families won’t take the chance of raising their kids where there’s not access to health care, and senior citizens are often told they need to move where there’s a doctor and a hospital.”

He pointed to western Kansas communities where struggling farm economies combined with hospital closures could accelerate population decline.

“Often the hospital is the largest employer in a small town,” Moran said. “So the consequences ripple through the entire community.”

Moran said preserving rural hospitals and supporting a strong farm economy have long been central to his work in Washington, dating back to conversations he has had with Kansas broadcasters and constituents over many years.

“A significant component of why I asked for this job was to fight to keep rural Kansas — rural America — alive and well,” Moran said. “At the top of the list is access to health care and a successful farm economy. Those two things determine whether towns like my hometown of Plainville, and communities across Kansas, have a future.”

Moran said he will continue working to ensure the funding produces the intended results and helps strengthen rural Kansas in the years ahead.

“We want to grow Kansas and make sure the entire state has a bright future,” he said. “These two topics — health care and agriculture — really help determine whether that happens.”

Moran: $222M rural health funding a ‘Sigh of Relief’ for Kansas hospitals

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Martin	Ramon	Duran	1/1/2026 8:23&nbsp;AM	Probation Violation

Erin	Eden	Stowell	1/1/2026 5:08&nbsp;PM	Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway

Chase	Bradley	Myrtle	1/1/2026 6:45&nbsp;PM	Assault,				Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Julian	Arturo	Urueta	1/2/2026 3:26&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

Madelyn	Renee	Welch	1/2/2026 4:29&nbsp;AM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Daily Bookings

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a&nbsp;$12 billion package&nbsp;that&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;announced earlier this month.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture&nbsp;released the figures&nbsp;Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year's crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February.

Soybean farmers&nbsp;have been hit especially hard by Trump's trade war with China, which&nbsp;stopped buying any American crops&nbsp;after Trump announced his tariffs this spring. China is the world's largest buyer of soybeans. This aid package is expected to help farmers weather the trade disruptions until China&nbsp;buys more soybeans&nbsp;under an&nbsp;agreement announced in October&nbsp;and until provisions of Trump's massive budget bill take effect later this year.

Soybean farmers will get $30.88 per acre while corn farmers will receive $44.36 per acre. Another crop hit hard when China stopped buying was sorghum, and those farmers will get $48.11 per acre. The amounts are based on a USDA formula on the cost of production.

Farmers say they need more buyers for their crops

But farmers say the aid&nbsp;won't solve all their problems&nbsp;as they continue to deal with the soaring costs of fertilizer, seeds and labor that make it hard to turn a profit right now. Some agricultural trade groups have said they worry that thousands of farmers could go out of business, but others have said they believe most farmers have the financial resources and equity needed to survive.

Kentucky soybean farmer Caleb Ragland, who was president of the American Soybean Association until recently, said the aid is “a Band-Aid on a deep wound. We need competition and opportunities in the market to make our future brighter.”

The President of the National Corn Growers Association Jed Bower also urged the Trump administration to focus on cultivating additional uses for their crops. Farmers will benefit from having more buyers whether it is for ethanol and animal feed at home or for international markets.

“Corn growers have been sounding the alarm about the fact that farmers have been faced with multiple consecutive years of low corn prices and high input costs,” Bower said. “While this financial assistance is helpful and welcomed, we urgently need the administration and Congress to develop markets in the United States and abroad that will provide growers with more long-term economic certainty.”

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that is the goal and promised to continue working to open new markets while strengthening the safety net for farmers.

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Darin Johnson said the aid number for soybeans fell short of what farmers had been hoping for, so more help could be needed, though this package will help.

Most farmers remain steadfast supporters of Trump even after the disruptions caused by the trade war. They generally support many of his other policies and believe they will get a better trade deal in the end.

White House and farmers encouraged by China's purchases

These aid payments will add up to $11 billion for row crop farmers who raise corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum and other crops. Another $1 billion has been set aside for specialty crops and sugar, but the administration hasn't released any details of aid for those crops.

After Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea in October, the White House said Beijing had promised to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the calendar year, plus 25 million metric tons a year in each of the next three years. Officials have said China is on track to meet the 12 million metric ton goal by the end of February.

As of Dec. 18, China had bought about 6 million metric tons of soybeans, according to the latest USDA’s weekly report. Separately, the federal agency reported that China since then bought at least three more batches totaling 600,000 metric tons.

Beijing has yet to confirm any commitment to buying 12 million metric tons of soybeans for this season, but the Chinese embassy in Washington said earlier this month that “agricultural trade cooperation between China and the United States is proceeding in an orderly manner.”

However, the recent increase in international purchases is encouraging to farmers, said Tim Lust, CEO of the National Sorghum Producers, who has seen more than 1 million metric tons of sorghum purchased in just the past few weeks. Like soybeans, more than half of the sorghum crop is exported each year with China traditionally being the biggest buyer.

The aid payments will be capped at $155,000 per farmer or entity, and only farms that make less than $900,000 in adjusted gross income will be eligible. During the first Trump administration, a number of large farms found ways around the payment limits and&nbsp;collected millions.

The USDA says&nbsp;the average size&nbsp;of the 1.88 million farms nationwide was 466 acres last year, but many farmers are much larger than that as larger operations have continued to buy up neighboring farms over time.

Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from Trump administration

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.Info forecast.</a>

Three-day Outlook

By TISA MASON Fort Hays State University President

In 2025, Fort Hays State University experienced a remarkable convergence of leadership, generosity, innovation, and partnership that reinforced its role as a driver of opportunity for students and communities across Kansas. From expanding guaranteed pathways to high-demand careers and celebrating philanthropic support to strengthening workforce pipelines and honoring service, these twelve stories capture the heart of what it means to be a Tiger.

FHSU and Kansas Community Colleges announce guaranteed admission program in psychology

The year began with a landmark agreement expanding access to higher education across the state. I was joined by Kansas Association of Community Colleges Director Heather Morgan and leaders from all 19 Kansas community colleges to sign a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a guaranteed admission pathway into FHSU’s clinical and school psychology programs.

Students completing an associate degree at a Kansas community college can now transition seamlessly into FHSU bachelor’s programs—and, uniquely, the guarantee extends through the master’s degree level for both clinical and school psychology, provided GPA requirements are met. The initiative directly addresses workforce shortages in mental health and education while removing barriers for students seeking advanced degrees in critical service professions.

Applied Technology achieves 100 percent graduate job placement

FHSU’s Department of Applied Technology has reached a milestone that speaks volumes about its hands-on approach to education: a 100 percent graduate job placement rate. Department Chair Kim Stewart credited the achievement to long-standing partnerships with industry and a robust internship requirement embedded in the curriculum.

With nine credit hours of internships, roughly equivalent to two summers of professional experience, students graduate not only with degrees but with practical skills, employer connections, and real-world readiness. For a department that has consistently hovered near a 98 percent placement rate, the milestone reinforced FHSU’s reputation as a workforce-driven institution.

Ben Schears named Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development

Leadership for economic growth took a major step forward when Ben Schears, president of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, was named FHSU’s Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development. In this role, Schears leads efforts to align education, innovation, and workforce needs across the region.

In the opening months that Schear has served in this role, he has worked with Strategic Affiliation partner Fort Hays Tech | North Central to assist High Plains Mental Health and Fort Hays Tech | North Central in addressing the workforce needs associated with their expanding operations. Now in the works is a new associate’s degree program at Fort Hays Tech | North Central that will help High Plains Mental Health staff entry-level positions. The goal of this partnership is to create seamless educational pathways that enable students to earn and learn as they advance in their careers.

Under his leadership, FHSU was selected to serve as one of six entities in the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative hosted by the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). Sponsored by the Patterson Family Foundation, the initiative aims to create local efforts that focus on closing the growing gap in tech sector jobs in rural America. The effort will consolidate existing assets across Ellis County to create a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports tech sector jobs.

Grace McCord Selected as a Finalist in Truman Scholar Competition

Fort Hays State University Political Science major Grace McCord was selected as one of just 200 finalists in the national competition for the Truman Scholarship, selected from 800 highly accomplished applicants nominated by their universities. Truman Scholars are college juniors chosen for their commitment to pursuing a career in public service. Truman Scholars receive a scholarship for graduate study funded by the Truman Foundation, which was created to honor the values of President Harry S. Truman.

Grace served her community through a number of service projects, including work with Jana’s Campaign and the Celebration Community Church Quilting Ministry, among other activities. In her career at FHSU, she has led the American Democracy Project and served as a senator in the Student Government Association, where she currently serves as the Legislative Affairs Director, as well as holding leadership roles in the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta.

Dr. Lisa Goddard McGuirk named athletic director

Dr. Lisa Goddard McGuirk joined FHSU as its new Athletic Director, bringing with her a national reputation for excellence in Division II athletics. Previously serving as athletic director at Gannon University, she was named NCAA Division II Athletic Director of the Year in 2024.

Under her leadership, Gannon achieved top national rankings in the Learfield Directors’ Cup, a benchmark of athletic and academic success. At FHSU, Goddard McGuirk’s arrival marked a new chapter for Tiger Athletics, one focused on competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and national visibility.

Business Retention and Expansion Program launches regional pilot

Professional and Continuing Education at FHSU launched an innovative pilot program designed to strengthen local economies through business retention and expansion strategies. This initiative was led by representatives from FHSU, Fort Hays Tech | North Central, and Fort Hays Tech |Northwest. Class cohorts were formed in Beloit, Goodland, and Hays, and participants included leaders from business, government, education, and economic development. The program curriculum focused on applying practical tools to support community growth. This initiative highlighted the power of regional collaboration and FHSU’s leadership role in rural economic development.

Corey Isbell named president of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest

Corey Isbell, Ed.D., was named president of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, succeeding Ben Schears. With more than 25 years of experience in technical education across rural Kansas, Isbell brought a deep understanding of workforce training, student success, and community engagement.

His appointment ensured continuity and momentum within the Fort Hays State system, reinforcing strong partnerships between FHSU and technical education institutions across the region.

FHSU Stroup Hall breaks ground to expand nursing program

On August 21, Fort Hays State University broke ground on a $15.4 million project to expand Stroup Hall. The project will add 30,000 additional square feet and unite the Departments of Nursing and Allied Health under one roof. This expansion will allow the two departments to collaborate more closely in training the next generation of students. Funded by the Kansas Legislature, the new Stroup Hall will include simulation labs, updated classrooms, and hands-on training opportunities, with completion expected in December 2026.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran helped secure an additional $400,000 in U.S. Department of Education funding that will be used to provide advanced technology and essential simulation systems

FHSU is currently serving 425 allied health students and slightly more than 725 nursing students. The University expects the expansion to enable enrollment in nursing programs to increase by more than 65% and in medical diagnostic imaging programs by 40%. Fall 2025 enrollment numbers anticipate expected growth in both disciplines with allied health experiencing a 22% increase in students this fall and nursing seeing a 9% increase.

Seven-Figure gift announced for campus library

Homecoming weekend brought a new reason to celebrate: a seven-figure gift from Stephen and Tatiana Tebo and their family to support the renovation of the campus library, now named the Tebo Library.

The gift marked one of the most significant philanthropic investments in campus infrastructure. The renovated library will serve as a hub for learning, collaboration, and discovery for generations to come.

Kansas SBDC Network earns renewed accreditation

The Kansas Small Business Development Center Network, headquartered at FHSU, achieved renewed national accreditation through 2029. The rigorous process affirmed the network’s commitment to high-quality advising and education for Kansas entrepreneurs.

Serving six regional centers statewide, the Kansas SBDC plays a critical role in strengthening small businesses and local economies - another example of FHSU’s statewide impact beyond campus boundaries.

Department chair honored with Patriot Award

Service and support took center stage when Dr. Richard Lisichenko, chair of the Geosciences Department, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The honor recognized his exceptional support of Dr. Jonathan Sumrall during Sumrall’s deployment to Kuwait.

Lisichenko’s consistent communication and inclusion of Sumrall’s family exemplified FHSU’s culture of care, earning national recognition and reinforcing the university’s commitment to military-affiliated faculty and staff.

FHSU celebrates first Officer Candidate School graduate

The year concluded with a historic milestone as Jackson Piper became FHSU’s first Officer Candidate School graduate to walk across the commencement stage. Piper, a Kansas City native and Kansas Army National Guard member, joined the OCS program shortly after its launch in 2022.

His achievement symbolized perseverance and service, and highlighted the growing opportunities FHSU provides for students pursuing military and leadership pathways.

Take a Deeper Dive into Heart of a Tiger

In January 2018, I wrote the first Heart of a Tiger column to celebrate the people and culture that make Fort Hays State University special. More than 150 columns later, these stories continue to highlight the compassion, innovation, and determination that define Tiger Nation.

Every Heart of a Tiger column is available at <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/president/heart-of-a-tiger/">fhsu.edu/president/heart-of-a-tiger/</a>

Insight Kansas: Playing devil's advocate on the Chiefs' deal

Tickets are now on sale for Reno Round Up, the annual fundraiser for the Cancer Council of Reno County, with this year’s event marking a major milestone.

The 2026 Reno Round Up will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and organizers are marking the occasion by bringing the event back to its roots with a Reno Casino–themed evening — complete with a fresh, modern twist. Branded as “Cowboy Casino,” the night promises a lively atmosphere inspired by the original casino-style fundraisers that helped establish Round Up as one of Reno County’s most anticipated charitable events.

Guests can expect casino-style games, raffles, food and drinks, and opportunities to bid on a variety of auction items, all while supporting a critical local mission. Proceeds from Reno Round Up directly benefit more than 370 Reno County individuals and families currently receiving assistance through the Cancer Council.

Round Up is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, providing essential funding for services that help local cancer patients and their families navigate treatment and recovery. Those services include transportation to and from medical appointments, assistance with medications, nutritional support, and other practical needs that ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis.

Organizers encourage attendees to dress in casino chic, try their luck at the tables, and enjoy an evening that combines entertainment with purpose.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now, with every purchase helping ensure the Cancer Council of Reno County can continue delivering vital support to those facing cancer across the community. <a href="https://ccrcroundup.home.qtego.us/">You can order tickets at this link.&nbsp;</a>

Tickets available for Reno Round Up

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————&nbsp;&nbsp;

Angel	Antonio	Estrada	III	12/31/2025 9:49&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Keeon	Patrick	Roberts		12/31/2025 12:02&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Dustin	James	Hanson		12/31/2025 12:39&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Jayme	Leigh	Allen		12/31/2025 1:48&nbsp;PM	Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct

Johnathen	Steven	Bishop		12/31/2025 2:25&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Jenay	Melody	Franklin		12/31/2025 4:10&nbsp;PM	DWS; 3rd or subs conv

Brenden	Michael	Harrison		12/31/2025 5:25&nbsp;PM	Poss of THC,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Possess media of child &lt;18,					Failure to Appear

Michael	Dean	Talent		12/31/2025 10:13&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

Chelsea	Page	Stuart		12/31/2025 11:16&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,&nbsp;Possession of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant, Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Loyd	Albert	Leckliter		12/31/2025 11:50&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Paige	Erin	Callaway	1/1/2026 2:55&nbsp;AM	Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction)

Nastassja	Alexandra	Ney	1/1/2026 2:42&nbsp;AM	Poss of marijuana, DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northeast corner of 2nd Avenue and North Main.

The limestone building at 200 N. Main was built in 1886 and most of its life it was a bank.

In 1887, it was the National Bank of Commerce.

By 1892, it had become the Citizens Bank. The first photo shows the Citizens Bank during the 1903 flood, also showing the Midland and Santa Fe hotels.

The second photo shows the Citizens Bank in 1929.

The cement bunker in the street was for sitting on, waiting for the trolley car in relative safety.

The third photo shows the Citizens Bank during the July 13, 1929, flood. This also shows the Fair Cafeteria, 12 E. 2nd, and the Leon Hotel, 14 E. 2nd, under construction.

In 1936, the Citizens became the Hutchinson State Bank. The fourth photo shows that bank about 1950.

About 1956, the Hutchinson State Bank and the American National Bank merged, forming the Hutchinson National Bank &amp; Trust Co.

In the late 1960s, this bank built the One Polaris Plaza building and moved over to that location.

Since that time, the 200 N. Main building has been: The Emporium in the 1970s, Baize &amp; Sons Jewelers in the 1980s and three different securities companies.

The fifth photo shows the current occupants of 200 N. Main: Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk &amp; Loyd CPAs. The building is owned by the James Strawn Trust.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Citizens Bank - Vol. 155

TOPEKA — Kansas boat owners will see a significant tax change beginning next year.

According to a notice issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Property Valuation, all watercraft, boat trailers, boat motors, and marine equipment will be exempt from Kansas personal property tax starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The change follows the passage of House Bill 2231, which amended state law to remove watercraft from taxable personal property. In addition, Kansas statute K.S.A. 79-213 was updated to include marine equipment as tax-exempt beginning after Dec. 31, 2025.

While property taxes are being eliminated, the Department of Revenue emphasized that watercraft must still be registered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks if they are used on Kansas waters.

The notice also reminds boat owners that watercraft remain taxable through Dec. 31, 2025. Boats owned as of January 1, 2025, must still be listed, valued, and taxed in the appropriate taxing district for the current year.

Under existing law through the end of 2025:

State officials encourage boat owners with questions to contact their local county appraiser’s office for guidance as the transition to the new tax exemption approaches.

The change represents a major shift in Kansas personal property taxation and is expected to reduce administrative burdens for boat owners, marinas, and county officials statewide.

Property taxes on boats and marine equipment eliminated in 2026

JACKSON COUNTY —A teen died in a pedestrian accident just before 9p.m. Thursday in Jackson County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford Bronco driven by a 27-year-old Independence, Missouri woman was westbound on Interstate 70 at Woods Chapel Road and struck a pedestrian identified as a 17-year-old Oak Grove, Missouri, boy.

Preliminary investigation reveals the teen was the driver of a vehicle being pursued by police, according to the MSHP.. The driver fled the vehicle, running across the eastbound lanes onto the westbound lanes where he struck and killed.&nbsp; The MSHP released no additional details.

Teen running from police struck and killed by SUV on I-70

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ali-swenson">ALI SWENSON</a>

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-vote-affordable-care-act-obamacare-6ffc1ea9f878c6b3da995589ef8a012c">Enhanced tax credits</a>&nbsp;that have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired Thursday cementing higher health costs for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aca-credits-health-care-subsidies-government-shutdown-7f7a3609bf78dd7e43be9a041a090220">millions of Americans</a>&nbsp;at the start of the new year.

Democrats forced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-reopen-update-house-returns-5771f2befb15f4ab45e327369f2e98d9">43-day government shutdown</a>&nbsp;over the issue. Moderate Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-tax-credits-congress-trump-swing-districts-e030d7a0dd61ca8815fe4722ddbe94b7">called for a solution</a>&nbsp;to save their 2026 political aspirations. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-health-care-plan-affordable-care-act-obamacare-97483a1f4d5e844f439c630d74d86ff2">floated a way out</a>, only to back off after conservative backlash.

In the end, no one’s efforts were enough to save the subsidies before their expiration date. A House vote expected in January could offer another chance, but success is far from guaranteed.

The change affects a diverse cross-section of Americans who don’t get their health insurance from an employer and don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare — a group that includes many self-employed workers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers.

It comes at the start of a high-stakes midterm election year, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-poll-approval-economy-immigration-inflation-crime-9e5bd096964990e040bc4bacd9fcac21">affordability</a>&nbsp;— including the cost of health care — topping the list of voters’ concerns.

“It really bothers me that the middle class has moved from a squeeze to a full suffocation, and they continue to just pile on and leave it up to us,” said 37-year-old single mom Katelin Provost, whose health care costs are set to jump. “I’m incredibly disappointed that there hasn’t been more action.”

Some families grapple with insurance costs that are doubling, tripling or more

The expired subsidies were first given to Affordable Care Act enrollees in 2021 as a temporary measure to help Americans get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats in power at the time extended them, moving the expiration date to the start of 2026.

With the expanded subsidies, some lower-income enrollees received health care with no premiums, and high earners paid no more than 8.5% of their income. Eligibility for middle-class earners was also expanded.

On average, the more than 20 million subsidized enrollees in the Affordable Care Act program are seeing their premium costs rise by 114% in 2026, according to an analysis by the health care research nonprofit KFF.

Those surging prices come alongside an overall increase in health costs in the U.S., which are further driving up out-of-pocket costs in many plans.

Some enrollees, like Salt Lake City freelance filmmaker and adjunct professor Stan Clawson, have absorbed the extra expense. Clawson said he was paying just under $350 a month for his premiums last year, a number that will jump to nearly $500 a month this year. It’s a strain for the 49-year-old but one he’s willing to take on because he needs health insurance as someone who lives with paralysis from a spinal cord injury.

Others, like Provost, are dealing with steeper hikes. The social worker’s monthly premium payment is increasing from $85 a month to nearly $750.

Health analysts have predicted the expiration of the subsidies will drive many of the 24 million total Affordable Care Act enrollees — especially younger and healthier Americans — to forgo health insurance coverage altogether.

Over time, that could make the program more expensive for the older, sicker population that remains.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/4.8-Million-People-Will-Lose-Coverage-in-2026-If-Enhanced-Premium-Tax-Credits-Expire.pdf" target="_blank">analysis</a>&nbsp;conducted last September by the Urban Institute and Commonwealth Fund projected the higher premiums from expiring subsidies would prompt some 4.8 million Americans to drop coverage in 2026.

But with the window to select and change plans still ongoing until Jan. 15 in most states, the final effect on enrollment is yet to be determined.

Provost, the single mother, said she is holding out hope that Congress finds a way to revive the subsidies early in the year — but if not, she’ll drop herself off the insurance and keep it only for her four-year-old daughter. She can’t afford to pay for both of their coverage at the current price.

Last year, after Republicans cut more than $1 trillion in federal health care and food assistance with Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill, Democrats repeatedly called for the subsidies to be extended. But while some Republicans in power acknowledged the issue needed to be addressed, they refused to put it to a vote until late in the year.

In December, the Senate rejected two partisan health care bills — a Democratic pitch to extend the subsidies for three more years and a Republican alternative that would instead provide Americans with health savings accounts.

In the House, four centrist Republicans broke with GOP leadership and joined forces with Democrats to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-care-subsidies-aca-speaker-johnson-1087a9f64168d66b2acf9082af16c253">force a vote</a>&nbsp;that could come as soon as January on a three-year extension of the tax credits. But with the Senate already having rejected such a plan, it’s unclear whether it could get enough momentum to pass.

Meanwhile, Americans whose premiums are skyrocketing say lawmakers don’t understand what it’s really like to struggle to get by as health costs ratchet up with no relief.

Many say they want the subsidies restored alongside broader reforms to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

“Both Republicans and Democrats have been saying for years, oh, we need to fix it. Then do it,” said Chad Bruns, a 58-year-old Affordable Care Act enrollee in Wisconsin. “They need to get to the root cause, and no political party ever does that.”

Health subsidies expire: Millions of Americans face steep insurance hikes

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident during a police chase just before 5a.m. New Year's Day in Kansas City. Missouri.

Independence police officers were pursuing a gray Ford F-250 for multiple alleged traffic violations. While traveling westbound on 9th Street approaching Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, the suspect vehicle failed to stop for a red traffic signal and collided with a blue pickup truck traveling southbound on Benton Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake&nbsp; Becchina.

 The suspect vehicle also struck a silver Nissan Cube that was stopped at the traffic signal facing eastbound. 

Following the collision, the gray Ford F-250 continued and struck a parked RV on private property, becoming immobilized. The driver fled the scene on foot. It was later determined that the Ford F250 was reported stolen. The driver of the blue pickup truck sustained minor injuries. Three occupants of the silver Nissan Cube were transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. On Thursday afternoon, police reported the driver of the Nissan had died.

This incident represents the first traffic fatality this year, compared to none at this time last year.&nbsp;

KCPD: Driver stopped at traffic signal killed in crash with stolen pickup

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump defended his energy and health in an interview with The Wall Street Journal and disclosed that he had a CT scan, not an MRI scan, during an October examination about which he and the White House delayed offering details.

Trump, in the interview published Thursday, said he regretted undergoing the advanced imaging on his heart and abdomen during an October visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center because it raised public questions about his health. His physician said in a memo the White House released in December that he had “advanced imaging” as a preventative screening for a man his age.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mri-physical-white-house-0c66f2f9fca865d842ee94329a210a42">had initially described it as an MRI</a>&nbsp;but said he didn’t know what part of his body he had scanned. A CT scan is a quicker form of diagnostic imaging than an MRI but offers less detail about differences in tissue.

The president’s doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, said in a statement released Thursday by the White House that Trump underwent the exam in October because he planned to be at Walter Reed to meet people working there. Trump had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-physical-weight-loss-oldest-president-75913b1e114cec64ae0acab1389118b2">already undergone an annual physical in April.</a>

“President Trump agreed to meet with the staff and soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Hospital in October. In order to make the most of the President’s time at the hospital, we recommended he undergo another routine physical evaluation to ensure continued optimal health,” Barbabella said.

Barbabella said he asked the president to undergo either a CT scan or MRI “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues” and the results were “perfectly normal and revealed absolutely no abnormalities.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Thursday that the president’s doctors and the White House have “always maintained the President received advanced imaging” but said that “additional details on the imaging have been disclosed by the President himself” because he “has nothing to hide.”

“In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,” Trump said in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/as-signs-of-aging-emerge-trump-responds-with-defiance-769c5dcd?st=7vVWU7&amp;reflink=article_copyURL_share" target="_blank">interview with The Wall Street Journal</a>. “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong.”

The 79-year-old became the oldest person to take the oath of office when he was sworn in as president last year and has been sensitive to questions about his health, particularly as he has repeatedly questioned his predecessor Joe Biden’s fitness for office.

Biden, who turned 82 in the last year of his presidency, was dogged by scrutiny of his age and mental acuity at the end of his tenure and during his abandoned attempt to seek reelection.

But questions have also swirled around Trump’s health this year as he’s been seen with bruising on the back of his right hand that has been conspicuous despite a slathering of makeup on top, along with noticeable swelling at his ankles.

The White House this summer said the president had been diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chronic-venous-insufficiency-trump-c2e8884d5e5debd1a0c156cb0060928a">chronic venous insufficiency</a>, a common condition among older adults. The condition happens when veins in the legs can’t properly carry blood back to the heart and it pools in the lower legs.

In the interview, Trump said he briefly tried wearing compression socks to address the swelling but stopped because he didn’t like them.

The bruising on Trump’s hand, according to Leavitt, is from “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which Trump takes regularly to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

He said he takes more aspirin than his doctors recommend but said he has resisted taking less because he’s been taking it for 25 years and said he is “a little superstitious.” Trump takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, according to Barbabella.

“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump said. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”

Trump, in the interview, denied he has fallen asleep during White House meetings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-doodle-misspelling-eyes-closed-84df52bbc901a001e98e325155224954">when cameras have caught him with his eyes closed</a>, instead insisting he was resting his eyes or blinking.

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