Nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states get $500 ACA refund checks

Nearly 1 million Americans across 30 states are beginning to receive $500 refund checks from the Trump administration for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage, targeting those who paid full premiums without assistance. The Treasury payments go to over 950,000 people who bought insurance through HealthCare.gov without premium subsidies. Recipients earn roughly 400% of the federal poverty level, about $64,000 for individuals or $132,000 for families of four. The refunds stem from excess exchange fees and are limited to states using the federal marketplace, excluding 20 states and D.C. with state-based exchanges. Trump announced the payments Sept. 10, weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, separate from his proposed $5,000 payment to adults.