Overview
- Roughly 22 million marketplace enrollees lost enhanced tax credits at midnight on Jan. 1, triggering average out-of-pocket premium hikes of about 114% in 2026, according to KFF.
- Independent analyses project that roughly 3 to 5 million people could drop coverage this year if the enhanced credits are not restored.
- After four House Republicans joined a discharge petition, leaders expect a floor vote on a three-year extension in mid-January, while bipartisan Senate talks continue and a retroactive fix remains possible.
- At least a dozen states are working on mitigation measures, and New Mexico is the only state so far to pledge covering the full value of the lapsed subsidies.
- Hospitals and physicians face significant financial risk, with one estimate forecasting more than $32 billion in lost provider revenue without renewed assistance, as some consumers shift to leaner plans during open enrollment through Jan. 15 in most states.