Overview
- Senate negotiators advanced a plan to reopen the government through Jan. 30 without extending enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, with a promise of a December vote on the issue.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to holding a House vote on the subsidies, leaving the prospects for extension uncertain.
- KFF estimates out-of-pocket premiums for roughly 22 million subsidized enrollees would more than double if the enhanced credits lapse at year’s end, while insurers have filed average 2026 rate hikes near the mid‑20% range.
- The Congressional Budget Office projects about 4 million more uninsured people by 2034 if the enhanced subsidies expire, and analysts warn risk pools could worsen as younger, healthier consumers drop coverage.
- Marketplaces and states report real-time impacts as open enrollment proceeds, with insurer shares falling after President Trump urged redirecting subsidy funds to individuals and local data showing steep net increases, including around 101% on average for Colorado subsidy recipients.