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The headlines can move quickly, which can make it difficult to separate proposed changes from the rules that are actually in effect today.
Below is a guide for some next steps when it comes to student loans, healthcare, and more.
In 2022, the federal government announced a plan to cancel up to $10,000 of federal student debt for many borrowers (and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients), subject to income limits.
That plan was ultimately struck down by the Supreme Court in Biden v. Nebraska (June 30, 2023).
Yes. Payments restarted in October 2023.
There was also a temporary “on-ramp” designed to reduce certain consequences of missed payments while people got back into repayment. That ended September 30, 2024.
There’s been a lot of change with IDR and SAVE. Court actions blocked parts of SAVE and created uncertainty for borrowers enrolled in it.
In January 2026, major outlets reported that the Education Department is implementing new repayment plan changes and has delayed certain default-collection actions while a new repayment option is prepared (reported to launch July 1, 2026).
The original 2022 article highlighted two main consumer-impact areas: ACA premium tax credits and Medicare Part D.
Here’s what’s most important now.
The Inflation Reduction Act extended the enhanced premium tax credits through tax years 2021–2025.
As of January 2026 reporting, those enhanced subsidies expired, and 2026 premiums increased for many people—especially early retirees and households who were getting large subsidies.
Planning note (early retirees, 50–64): If you’re using ACA coverage as your “bridge” to Medicare at 65, 2026 is a year to re-run the numbers—your premium could be materially different from what it was in 2024–2025.
The IRA’s Part D redesign created an annual out-of-pocket cap that began in 2025 and is indexed going forward.
The 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100.
That means once you hit the cap (for covered Part D drugs), your cost-sharing for covered prescriptions is generally $0 for the rest of the year under the Part D rules.
One of the IRA’s biggest changes is allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for a set of drugs. CMS has published negotiated prices for the first 10 drugs that take effect January 1, 2026.
Because policy updates often affect cash flow, taxes, and healthcare costs at the same time, reviewing these changes together can lead to better decisions than handling each one in isolation. If you’d like help understanding how these 2026 updates may affect your situation, set up a complimentary call to talk through your options and next steps.
No. That 2022 program was struck down by the Supreme Court in June 2023.
Payments restarted in October 2023, and the on-ramp ended September 30, 2024.
$2,100 for 2026 (indexed from 2025).
They were extended through 2025, and reporting in January 2026 indicates they expired, while Congress has been debating changes/extensions.
Matt worked for the Department of Defense as a material scientist before changing careers to follow his interests in personal finance and investing. Matt has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Kiplinger, and other nationally recognized finance publications as a flat fee advisor for Arnold and Mote Wealth Management. Arnold & Mote Wealth Management is a flat-fee, fiduciary financial planning firm serving individuals and families in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. He lives in North Liberty, where you will likely find him, his wife Jessica, and two kids walking their dog on a nice day. In his free time Matt is an avid reader, and is probably planning his next family vacation.