69K in NJ suddenly have no insurance
Health costs become unaffordable for many
By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... The bills came, and they weren't pretty.
.....
High health insurance premiums that were earlier this year [2026] cause dos much stick shock that nearly 69,000 New Jersey residents didn't pay them. Their coverage has ended in the last tow months under the state's Affordable Care Act program, state officials said on Tuesday April 21. [2026]
..... those who failed to pay their premiums, which rose considerably after federal subsides expired this year, [2026] represent 14% of the 509,192 resident who signed up for insurance by January 31, [2026] said the state Department of Banking and Insurance.
..... As of April 15, [2026] only 440,362 residents were enrolled in a plan through the popular state program, Get Covered New Jersey, that provides coverage to people who don't get health insurance through an employer or a government program such as Medicare or Medicaid.
..... "These individuals and families will now be at risk of forgoing important preventive care and left to rely on costly emergency services that they may not be able to afford," said Susan Ochs, the state's action banking and insurance commissioner. The drop was not entirely unexpected.
..... Everyone form insurance executive to public health officials had predicted a decrease before Persistent Donald
Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill" passed though Congress. The new law extended tax breaks by cutting social services, including key tax credits for ACA insurance.
..... ACA premiums rose across the board - dramatically, in some cases. The average out-of-pocket premium payment was expected to more than double, form $888 a year to $1,904, nationwide. in New Jersey, some premiums rose as much as 175%.
.....
The result: Tens of thousands of New Jerseyans have been dropping coverage or settling for less.
..... The number of customers selecting the cheapest plans with the highest deducible - bronze - jumped to 31% compared with 16% in 2025, state officials said. Enrollment in silver plans fell to 69% this year [2026] from 83% last year. [2025]
Loss of medical coverage could inundate hospitals with patients
..... The loss of ACA coverage will add to the number of newly uninsured New Jerseyans, which is expected to skyrocket next year. [2027]
..... Major cuts to Medicaid - government insurance for low-income residents - could see as many as 350,000 enrollees left without insurance starting January 1 [2027] under anther major cut form the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
..... Hospital executives have said their emergency departments may become inundated with more former ACA and Medicaid enrollees seeking basic care.
..... Under state law, hospitals have to treat every patient regardless of their ability to pay.
..... Funding for Charity care - the state program that subsidizes free hospital services for those who can't pay - is slated to go up more than $14 million to $83.9 million starting in July [2026] under Governor Mikie Sherrill's proposed budget, which still needs Legislative approval.
..... But it would be only a small fraction of the money lost in the Medicaid cuts.
.....
If you dropped your health insurance this year [2026] and want to tell your story please contact Scott Fallon at fallon@northjersey.com.