Washington, D.C. — New data released by the State Marketplace Network shows the number of people who have been forced to drop their health care coverage since January because they could no longer afford it spiked 33.6 percent compared to last year after Republicans ripped away health care tax credits. In addition, many families have downgraded their coverage and enrolled in “bronze plans,” which have higher out-of-pocket costs and are less likely to cover their care when they get sick. With Republicans at the helm, the health care affordability crisis will only get worse. As prices continue to climb, 5 million people could be priced off their coverage by the end of 2026.
Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“Working families are sick of paying more and getting less. Republicans plunged families into a health care affordability crisis when they ripped away the tax credits that over 22 million people relied on to see a doctor. Now, premiums are skyrocketing, insurers are pulling out of the marketplace left and right, and families are being left with fewer and fewer options. Republicans have put families in an impossible position, forcing them to choose between risky plans and losing their coverage altogether. In November, voters will hold Republicans accountable for putting billionaires ahead of working families.”
People of All Backgrounds are Dropping Coverage Due to Higher Costs. Americans who are self-employed, small business owners, early retirees, or who have experienced sudden life changes such as a job loss, a move, or a change in household size all depend on marketplace plans for health coverage. As premiums have doubled and tripled thanks to H.R. 1, marketplace plans are becoming less accessible for people in these circumstances. Young adults ages 18 to 26 and those over 65 are experiencing the highest rates of enrollment declines in most SBMs. Losing young people further erodes the risk pool and drives up premiums.Families with incomes less than 100 percent of the poverty line and those over 400 percent of the federal poverty line have also seen disproportionate enrollment losses. These disenrollments are due to higher premium costs and the loss of tax credits.
Americans Forced to Settle for Reduced Coverage Due to Cost. GOP premium hikes priced millions out of high-quality coverage and forced them to settle for bronze plans that require them to pay thousands more out of pocket before insurers pay a single penny. Before Republicans ripped away health care tax credits, low-income families could enroll in high-quality, silver plans for $0, and middle-class families could afford a silver plan for no more than 8.5% of their monthly income. Nearly 2 million more people enrolled in bronze plans in 2026 compared to 2025. In turn, silver plan enrollment has hit the lowest levels of enrollment in marketplace history, falling by nearly 4 million people. “Purchasing down” has also increased in SBMs with 7 percent, or nearly 350,000, enrollees switching to a bronze plan from a gold or silver plan. Thanks to GOP premium hikes, families are now paying 37 percent, or over $1,000, more on average out of pocket on their health care before their insurance kicks in.
5 Million People Could Lose ACA Coverage By the End of 2026. Since July 2025, 2.6 million people have lost their marketplace coverage due to the expiration of premium tax credits and Republicans’ increased bureaucratic red tape for reenrollment. As costs continue to rise, marketplace coverage could decrease by 5 million people by the end of the year. Coverage rates are expected to drop mid-year as people are unable to meet their high monthly premiums, which have increased by 58 percent. Disenrollments, when people who are enrolled in health insurance drop their coverage, are up nearly 34 percent compared to last year. Coverage losses are expected to continue through 2027 and 2028, which will cause prices to keep rising. A KFF Analysis found that in order to make up for the projected coverage losses in 2027, premiums will increase by 4 percent.