Americans looking to purchase 2026 Obamacare health insurance plans are facing a more than doubling of monthly premiums on average, prompting many to delay enrolment in the hope of a last-minute relief—or to forego coverage entirely, according to health experts.
The COVID-19 pandemic-era subsidies, set to expire at the end of the year, have become a central issue amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, with the potential to influence upcoming elections and increase the number of uninsured Americans. These subsidies had previously helped double Obamacare enrolment to 24 million since their introduction in 2021.
Open enrolment for the Affordable Care Act plans begins this Saturday. Research firm KFF estimates that enrollees will see premiums rise by an average of 114%, although the impact will vary among the 22 million people receiving subsidies.
For individuals such as Austin Jeha, a 24-year-old medical billing professional from San Ramon, California, the rise hits hard. Jeha, who requires ongoing specialist care for ulcerative colitis, will see his monthly premium increase to $436 from $215, on top of an $85 co-pay for each appointment. “You’re at a higher risk of colon cancer,” he said, adding that doctors need to monitor whether he remains in remission. Jeha has contacted his Congressional representative, Democrat Mark DeSaulnier, and is waiting to see if a federal agreement could reduce his costs.
Caught in the Shutdown
The U.S. government shutdown, now in its second month, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid and disrupted a wide range of services, from financial oversight to medical research.
Democrats insist that any deal to reopen the government must also extend ACA subsidies, while Republicans say they are willing to address the issue but demand that Congress first restore government funding.
Residents in Florida, Texas and Georgia, along with seven other Republican-led states, are expected to feel the most significant impact. In these states, Medicaid eligibility is limited to the poorest residents, forcing many low-income families to rely on ACA plans, with subsidies determining their ability to afford coverage.
The combination of rising premiums, expiring subsidies, and political gridlock has created uncertainty for millions of Americans who depend on Obamacare for essential health coverage.