US EditionACA enrollment sinks sharply as coverage costs soar in 2026
Enrollment fell by 1.4 million amid average premium increases of 114% after enhanced ACA tax credits expired, with 22.8 million signed up for 2026, CMS data shows.
- On Jan. 1, federal figures showed 22.8 million people signed up for Affordable Care Act plans for 2026, down 1.4 million from last year with sign-ups through Jan. 3.
- The expiration of enhanced ACA tax credits on December 31 doubled average out-of-pocket premiums, sharply raising costs while Congress has not coalesced on a solution.
- Consumers can still enroll through Thursday, as KFF estimates premiums could increase by about 82%, from around $8,750 to $4,400, with enrollment roughly 800,000 lower than last year.
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates 2 million more Americans will become uninsured this year, and Robert Kaestner said `My prediction is 2 million more people will lack health insurance for a while` as health policy experts expect enrollment to fall further in the coming months.
- With open enrollment ending, Congress faces a decision as the House passed a subsidy extension last week, but the Republican-controlled Senate and bipartisan senators negotiate funding compromises.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Obamacare enrollment drops before deadline after subsidies expire
WASHINGTON — About 1.4 million fewer people have signed up for Obamacare plans so far compared to last year as a federal tax credit expires and consumers confront significantly higher premiums. Read more...
Smith: Rand Paul has winning plan for healthcare coverage
With Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire this month and the Senate failing to invoke cloture on a new GOP healthcare bill, Washington has once again shown it has no plan to rein in soaring premiums. As coverage options shrink and costs climb, Obama- and Biden-era regulations continue to squeeze consumers. Americans are facing a healthcare crisis of dwindling insurance options and rising costs. Healthcare costs are outpacing inflation. Fo…
Political Wire
The Seattle TimesInitial Obamacare Enrollment Drops by 1.4 Million
“About 1.4 million fewer people have enrolled in Obamacare coverage this year in the face of soaring premiums, according to an early report, following the expiration of the enhanced subsidies that helped lower the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans,” the New York Times reports.
ACA Enrollees feel subsidy loss: "Without it, I wouldn’t have coverage”
MINOT, ND (KXNET) — People across the country are seeing higher health insurance costs at the start of the new year. This comes after Congressional Republicans did not extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits when they expired at the end of 2025. According to Natasha Murphy, Health Policy Director at the Center [...]
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