Health program cuts hit home, fueling blame game

"About 1.2 million fewer people signed up for ACA coverage compared with a year ago, following Congress' refusal to extend enhanced subsidies. Nebraska this month also became the first state to impose new work requirements on Medicaid recipients who enrolled under the ACA expansion."

"Wakely Consulting Group found that 14% of enrollees did not pay their first ACA premium in January. It estimated that 2026 enrollment will end up being 17% to 26% lower than last year. Insurers in some states are reporting drops in enrollment as high as 20% to 30%, while other states are stepping in to offer additional financial help to limit the losses."

"“We don't have full data yet but all signs point to a substantial drop in enrollment with the expiration of the enhanced premium subsidies,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, estimating “several million” fewer enrollees."

"The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee took aim at Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) last week for voting against extending the enhanced ACA tax credits, saying premiums have risen 58% on average. It similarly targeted Colorado GOP Reps. Jeff Crank and Gabe Evans for their votes to cut Medicaid in last year's Republican tax-and-spending bill and refusal to extend ACA subsidies."

About 1.2 million fewer people are signed up for ACA coverage than a year earlier after Congress refused to extend enhanced subsidies. Nebraska became the first state to impose new work requirements on Medicaid recipients who enrolled under the ACA expansion. Wakely Consulting Group found 14% of enrollees did not pay their first ACA premium in January and estimated 2026 enrollment will be 17% to 26% lower than last year. Insurers in some states report enrollment drops of 20% to 30%, while other states add financial help to reduce losses. KFF estimates several million fewer enrollees. Coverage losses are appearing in midterm campaign messaging, with Democrats attacking Republicans for voting against extending enhanced ACA tax credits and for cutting Medicaid.

Read at Axios