ACA enrollment sinks sharply as coverage costs soar in 2026 [View all]
Source: CBS News
Updated on: January 13, 2026 / 3:33 PM EST
Far fewer Americans enrolled in an Affordable Care Act health care plan, new federal data shows, with millions facing higher premiums after tax subsidies under the insurance program expired in December
According to figures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 22.8 million people have signed up for ACA coverage for 2026 since open enrollment started on Nov. 1. That's down 1.4 million from the number of Americans who had enrolled in Obamacare, as the health plans are known, a year ago.
Nationally, around 800,000 fewer people have selected plans compared to a similar time last year, marking a 3.5% drop in total enrollment so far. That includes a decrease in both new consumers signing up for ACA plans and existing enrollees re-upping them. Open ACA enrollment in most states for February coverage ends on Jan. 15.
The drop in enrollment comes as many ACA participants face sharply higher monthly premiums because of a December 31 lapse in tax credits that lowered households' monthly health plan costs. After months of debate and a 6-week government shutdown, Congress has yet to extend the credits or settle on another remedy.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aca-subsidies-tax-credits-health-insurance/
= new reply since forum marked as read