9cff82d2__Your_Indispensable_Guide_TIME__What_it_is
[Term] Subsidies [Why it matters] Reform proposals would distribute subsidies to Americans who don't qualify for Medicaid but who earn up to 300% or 400% of the federal poverty line. Subsidies could be used to purchase private insurance (or new public insurance, if it exists). [What it is] 
In the context of health-care reform, these are financial credits from the government that are distributed to Americans  calculated based on income  that Americans could use to purchase health insurance.
Understanding the Health-Care Debate: Your Indispensable Guide-TIME
What it is