Obamacare Premiums Double, Pushing Millions Out of Health Insurance

Americans shopping for 2026 Obamacare health insurance plans are facing, on average, more than a doubling of monthly premiums and are likely to postpone signing up in the hope of a last-minute reprieve — or walk away altogether — health experts say, Amina Niasse, Nathan Layne, and Andy Sullivan reported for Reuters.

When the subsidies expire, those with incomes over 400% of the federal poverty level will no longer be eligible. (Photo: LaDawna Howard Flickr)

COVID-19 pandemic-era subsidies, due to expire at year-end, are at the center of the month-long U.S. government shutdown and are expected to affect election outcomes and increase the number of uninsured Americans.

The subsidies helped double Obamacare enrollment to 24 million since they were introduced in 2021. Enrollment opens on Saturday for the plans created under President Barack Obama’s signature 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Enrollees will, on average, see premiums rise about 114%, though the impact will vary among the 22 million people who receive subsidies, according to research firm KFF.

Scott Darius, executive director of the nonprofit Florida Voices for Health, said working-class residents and small business owners have come to rely on these plans at a time of persistent inflation.

“That’s who will suffer with the expiration of these tax credits. It’s people who are working really hard — sometimes working multiple jobs — just jobs that don’t provide health coverage,” Darius said in an interview.

When the subsidies expire, those with incomes over 400% of the federal poverty level will no longer be eligible, Julie Steenhuysen also reported for Reuters.