"Enrollment in Obamacare is slowing down in California after Republicans in Congress opted not to extend a policy that beefed up financial assistance for patients, a move that led to the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. About 175,000 people statewide have newly enrolled in Covered California, the state's Affordable Care Act marketplace, so far for 2026. That's a 31% decrease from this time last year, data shows. Health experts expect bigger declines in the coming months, as more enrollees receive notice of price hikes and cancel their plans."
"Meanwhile, more people are opting for bronze-level plans with high deductibles and limited coverage. These early numbers don't even show the extent of what's likely to happen as people have to pay their premium bills and find they can't afford them with all their other household expenses, said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF. Bay Area counties are already clocking declines in new enrollees: 27% in Contra Costa County, 24% in Alameda County and 23% in Santa Clara County, according to Covered California's data."
"Health officials and advocates gathered in downtown Oakland Tuesday to urge residents to sign up for a Covered California insurance plan before the Jan. 31 deadline, or see if they're eligible. Jessica Altman, third from left, executive director of Covered California speaks with panel members after a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. Officials held the press conference to talk about the open enrollment period for the state's healthcare marketplace. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)"
Enrollment in California's Affordable Care Act marketplace slowed sharply for 2026, with about 175,000 newly enrolled — a 31% decrease from this time last year. Enhanced financial assistance expired at the end of 2025 after Congress did not extend the policy, contributing to spiking costs for many. Early enrollment data show more people choosing bronze-level plans with high deductibles and limited coverage. Bay Area counties reported declines in new enrollees: 27% in Contra Costa, 24% in Alameda and 23% in Santa Clara. The enrollment deadline is Jan. 31; many enrollees still qualify for reduced-cost plans.
#covered-california #enrollment-decline #financial-assistance-expiration #high-deductible-bronze-plans
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