Selina Simmons-Duffin

24 million people were enrolled in these Obamacare plans this year, and almost all of them got these generous federal subsidies that came in during the pandemic to help keep their premium costs really affordable, like $10 a month for many people.

Those enhanced subsidies expire in a matter of weeks.

So many people are looking at way higher premium costs.

The enhanced premium subsidies that have kept costs down for enrollees expire at the end of the year.

Without them, costs are going up.

For Amy Jackson of Butler, Missouri, her premium is going from under $300 a month to $1,250.

She's not sure congressional lawmakers understand.

You know, for them, $1,000 is probably nothing.

It's probably what they blow on dinner.

But for me, that's half of my wage.

She has breast cancer and is trying to get as much treatment as possible into this calendar year.

She's been calling her representatives and telling them that people like her need help now.

Selina Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

On Friday, federal health agency workers received an unsigned email with a buyout offer. The email was obtained by NPR. The subject line read, please read immediately. It set a deadline of Friday, March 14th to decide whether to take the buyout. It mentioned the same deadline for workers to choose early retirement.

On Friday, federal health agency workers received an unsigned email with a buyout offer. The email was obtained by NPR. The subject line read, please read immediately. It set a deadline of Friday, March 14th to decide whether to take the buyout. It mentioned the same deadline for workers to choose early retirement.

Workers can receive up to $25,000 in a lump sum, although if they work for the federal government again within five years, they have to pay the full amount back. The Social Security Administration announced a similar offer to employees on its website, and the Department of Education has reportedly sent similar emails.

Workers can receive up to $25,000 in a lump sum, although if they work for the federal government again within five years, they have to pay the full amount back. The Social Security Administration announced a similar offer to employees on its website, and the Department of Education has reportedly sent similar emails.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to NPR's request for details about the program. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to NPR's request for details about the program. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

People braved snow and freezing temperatures to protest the firing of government researchers and cuts to academic research currently paused by the courts. Signs read, no one voted for polio and I'd rather be in my lab working on cures for cancer. One of the speakers was Connor Phillips, who told the crowd he has cerebral palsy.