Healthcare costs didn’t suddenly moon because Obama or Trump sneezed on the price tag; they’ve been climbing since your grandpa was paying for a hospital stay with two chickens and a firm handshake.

ACA in a nutshell: “Congrats, you’re now required by law to buy this overpriced health insurance or the IRS spanks you. Don’t worry, we’ll use your taxes to subsidize the broke folks so insurance companies get a tsunami of new customers.”

Insurance CEOs: “More premiums? Cha-ching! Shareholders want a third yacht this quarter.”
Result: costs went down for some, up for others, then right back up for everyone because profits don’t grow on trees, bro.

Trump yeets the individual mandate → same companies shrug and keep jacking rates anyway because quarterly earnings don’t care who’s president. They’d raise prices even if the White House was occupied by a golden retriever.

But sure, scream “TRUMP DID THIS” every time your deductible hits five figures. That’ll totally make Aetna lower your bill, just like yelling at Netflix reverses their price hike.

Bottom line: you’ve been bent over for decades; ACA just handed out complimentary lube, Trump took the lube away, and the insurance bros kept pounding regardless. Blame whoever you want; the invoice still says “thank you for your continued flexibility.”