Happy Wednesday! In this week’s Big I Buzz: ACA premiums show signs of long-term stability, and Wisconsin’s ginseng industry faces mounting pressures.

ACA Premiums Stabilize, Nearly Mirroring Employer-Sponsored Coverage Costs

Premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual-market plans have leveled off after years of fluctuation and are now approaching cost levels similar to employer-sponsored coverage. This shift reflects a narrowing gap that once existed due to higher risk pools and limited enrollment in the individual market. Analysts note that average per-member premiums in the individual market are now nearly on par with those in fully insured employer plans—an important trend to watch when advising clients on coverage options. Read more here.

China Trade Spat Threatens Wisconsin’s ‘Napa Valley’ of Ginseng

Nearly all U.S. ginseng is grown in Marathon County, Wisconsin—often referred to as the “Napa Valley of Ginseng” due to its ideal soil and climate. Most of the harvest is dried and exported to China, where Wisconsin ginseng is prized for its quality. However, worsening U.S.-China trade tensions, a slowing Chinese economy, and competition from lower-cost Canadian producers are straining the industry. Once home to roughly 1,400 growers, the state now has fewer than 70, as rising input costs and unstable export markets make production increasingly difficult. Read more here.

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