I think
this is true, but let's not forget that "subsidies" have been around much longer than ACA, but in the form of employer subsidized HI. One poster child for this is Cadillac PPO HI through megacorp. Maybe big-gov. has the same, but I don't have any experience with it.
My friends from megacorp have absolutely no idea of the full price (let alone true cost) of health insurance because their employer pays most of the burden. Furthermore, none of these friends fully realize that their Cadillac PPO in NOT available at any price, at any deductible level (metal level), on the individual market, at least in this area. The health provider networks are no where near as extensive, even if can even find an individual PPO plan.
A buddy of mine complains about dropping $8K/yr for 3 people for his Cadillac retiree PPO through megacorp. I just laugh and say that my ACA rack rate is over $12K/yr for only 2 people and $15K/yr deductibles on HMO with 2-3 tier hospitals. He's got not idea how good he has it.
To be fair, I'm not complaining. ACA is a retirement enabler and saver for us, at least until something better comes along or we both stumble into Medicare. Now, back to living my life in retirement.
I'm not going to wring my hands waiting for the next tragedy.