The Trump administration is promising $500 refund payments to nearly 1 million Affordable Care Act exchange participants in 30 states, with checks set to go out starting in October. The White House said the payments would refund exchange user fees that it says the Biden administration passed on to consumers through higher premiums, as part of an effort to reduce healthcare costs ahead of the November midterm elections. The payments represent about 5% of the 19 million people enrolled through ACA exchanges. Health policy experts said the money would provide limited relief as premiums, deductibles and cost-sharing rise after enhanced federal subsidies expired. In a KFF poll, 80% of returning ACA participants said those costs were higher than last year. Larry Levitt of KFF said the payments would largely reach middle-income people who lost subsidies and are often paying thousands of dollars more. President Donald Trump separately pledged a $5,000 dividend for every U.S. adult if Republicans retain control of Congress.