Million are facing tough insurance choices for 2026
By: Amina Niasse
and Ahmed Aboulenein
Reuters
NEW YORK - Americans facing sky-rocking health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, could still get a break from expanded government subsidies in 2026 through retroactive registrations and possibly a special enrollment period, investors, analysts and industry experts say.
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President Donald Trump and the Republican Party have been divided for months on a replacement for the Affordable care Act's extra COVID-era subsidies that have made insurance more affordable for most of the 24 million Americans who rely on the government-backed plans.
..... Republicans have been promising an ACA alternative for more than a decade, but have yet to produce one with a passable consensus that maintains consumers protections of Obamacare plans.
..... Two U.S. Senate votes aimed at addressing the issue failed to pass, and the U.S. House advanced a Republican helaht care bill on December 17 [2025] that would not renew the tax credit.
..... The 216-211 vote, likely Congress' last vote on helaht care policy this year, [2025] came hours after Republican leaders faced a rebellion within their ranks in support of a Democratic-backed extension of the Obamacare benefit.
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Under the rules of the House, Democrats can insist on a vote on their three-year extension. But House Speaker Mike Johnson R-Louisiana, told reporters late December 17 [2025] that he would not schedule that vote until the first week of January, [2026] when congress returns for a recess.
..... Without a deal, million sof Americans must now weigh whether to sign up and be prepared to pay much higher prices or go without health insurance. Total premium costs for subsidized Obamacare enrollees are expected to increase to an average $1,904 for 2026 form $888 in 2025.
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"There's no absolute drop-dead date for extending the ACA enhanced premium subsidies. ACA enrollees would welcome premium relief whenever it comes," said Larry Levitt, helaht policy executive at health research firm KFF.
..... Obamacare plan enrollment opened in November [2025] and closes on January 15. [2026] If a deal were reached after that, it could include a retroactive extension of the subsidies and new sing-ups or a special enrollment period could be added, reflecting the lowered costs, said Levitt and Daniel Barasa, a portfolio manager at investment firm Gabelli, which nows Cigna shares.
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Insurers have been preparing for the lapse op the credits, structuring 2025 plans as if they will expire, and raising premiums, which KFF said could more than double for many.
..... The expanded subsidies apply to households making more than 400% of the federal poverty level.
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"We're going into an election year where affordability is" the main issue facing Trump and fellow Republicans looking to maintain control of Congress, siad Kevin Gade, chief operating offer at investment firm Bahl & Gaynor, which owns UnitedHealth shares.
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Gade, Barasa, and James Harlow, a senior vice president at Novare Capitol Manage net, which owns UnitedHealth shares, said there will be increased political pressure on Congress to deliver a solution as more time passes.