Subsidies are calculated using a complicated formula based on the cost of insurance premiums , which can vary drastically from state to state , and even county to county . Sebelius said in April : ` ` Anyone under 50 % of poverty will qualify for a tax subsidy '' CNN follows the numbers , finds many low - income younger people will get no subsidy . Officials now say that 's because the cost of living is lower than initially estimated . Funding for housing ` ` so low that the premium is below the ceiling , '' says HHS spokeswoman .
Sebelius said in April : ` ` Anyone under 50 % of poverty will qualify for a tax subsidy '' CNN follows the numbers , finds many low - income younger people will get no subsidy . Officials now say that 's because the cost of living is lower than initially estimated . Funding for housing ` ` so low that the premium is below the ceiling , '' says HHS spokeswoman .