Washington, DC – A new report from KFF shows that congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend vital ACA tax credits has jacked up monthly premiums and already left approximately one million more Americans without health insurance. It is an act of economic sabotage that is forcing Americans to weigh their financial security against their own health.
The analysis shows that the average deductible increased by more than $1,000 a year, and that millions more people could lose their health care this year – all because Republicans refused to extend ACA tax credits. Americans are also facing a health care “double-whammy,” as Republican cuts to Medicaid are further threatening access to health care and endangering local health care systems.
“By refusing to extend the ACA tax credits, Republicans in Congress forced millions of Americans to gamble their own health against their financial stability,” said Unrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “Costs are rising nationwide because of these cuts and millions will be forced to forgo health care coverage altogether. It is well past time for congressional Republicans to stop taking our health care and bring back these tax credits.”
The Washington Post: Millions expected to lose Affordable Care Act coverage as costs spike
Key Points:
- The affordability crisis for many people who have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act came into sharper focus Tuesday, with a new analysis projecting that higher premiums will cause millions more people to lose insurance this year.
- Another sign of economic distress: Average deductibles for policyholders are now the highest ever, a result of people switching to the exchange’s cheapest “bronze plans” in response to premium hikes.
- With greater migration to bronze plans, the average deductible for ACA recipients rose more than $1,000 a year, to $3,786, the KFF analysis found.
- There are two ways that people are losing coverage. First, premium increases prevented some from signing up during last year’s open enrollment period. Now, millions who did sign up can no longer afford the premiums and will lose coverage for failing to pay.
- Republicans, who hold majorities in the House and the Senate, refused to extend the subsidies for 2026 despite months of wrangling and a 43-day government shutdown.
- With premiums rising as much as 100 percent for some, about 1 million people opted out of coverage for 2026 during last year’s open enrollment period.
- The KFF analysis says attrition for failing to pay could grow throughout the year by up to 4 million more.
- Enrollment declines were predicted last year by the Congressional Budget Office as bills to extend the special subsidies were debated.
- People with no insurance or high deductibles are taking on more risk because of the high costs.
- Beyond the financial and health burdens for people who are uninsured…the “double-whammy” of ACA and Medicaid reductions will have a big impact on some of the largest employers in local communities: health systems.
To learn more about the campaign, visit UnrigOurEconomy.com or contact press@unrigoureconomy.com
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About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.