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Politics

Trump begins sending $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans

Treasury checks of $500, with letters signed by President Trump, begin going out on Wednesday to more than 950,000 Americans in 30 states who the administration says were overcharged on Obamacare premiums.

By Priya Raman · · 1 min read

Treasury cheques of $500, with letters signed by President Trump, began going out on Wednesday to more than 950,000 Americans in 30 states, an administration official told USA Today.

The administration says recipients were overcharged through federal-exchange “user fees” passed on as higher premiums, overfunding HealthCare.gov and building a surplus that is now being returned. Total payments should reach roughly $500 million.

Trump announced the programme on 10 September in a White House video released during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. It is separate from the $5,000 dividend he has vowed to pay to all Americans if Republicans retain Congress after the midterms.

Eligible consumers paid the full cost of 2026 coverage without premium tax credits or other ACA subsidies, in the 30 states using the federal HealthCare.gov exchange — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

“For years, the Biden administration overcharged you to fund the operation of HealthCare.gov. That money belongs to hard-working Americans, not the Government, and now I’m returning it to you!” Trump’s letter says.

USA Today notes the enhanced ACA subsidies expired at the end of 2025, which Trump and Republicans in Congress refused to extend, making insurance more expensive for millions. The cheques go out five weeks before the midterms, amid affordability concerns, and should begin arriving in October.

Sources

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