Fri Nov 07 20:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace premiums are set to skyrocket in 2026, with the average mid-level plan increasing by 26% to $625 per month. This spike, the largest since 2018, is driven by rising healthcare costs (including prescription drugs like GLP-1s), increased hospital prices, and the looming expiration of ACA premium tax credits. The expiration of tax credits could cause costs to more than double for the roughly 22 million Americans who rely on them. Even those ineligible for credits, like web developer Jeremy Tolbert, face substantial increases, potentially forcing families to make difficult choices about healthcare coverage, including foregoing insurance altogether or seeking employment solely for benefits. Experts warn that going without coverage, while seemingly a short-term solution, could have devastating financial and health consequences.
News Article:
ACA Premiums to Surge in 2026, Sparking Coverage Concerns
New York, NY – November 3, 2025 – Americans relying on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces are facing a steep increase in health insurance premiums, with the average mid-level plan set to jump 26% to $625 per month in 2026. The sharp rise, the largest since 2018, is raising concerns about affordability and access to healthcare for millions.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) attributes the premium surge to several factors, including increased demand for costly treatments like GLP-1 weight loss drugs, rising hospital prices, and the impending expiration of ACA premium tax credits at the end of 2025. The looming deadline for extending the tax credits is currently contributing to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
“The biggest factor is that health care costs for everybody are going up,” Cynthia Cox, vice president and director of KFF’s program on the ACA, told CBS News.
The expiration of these credits could more than double the cost of ACA plans for the approximately 22 million Americans who depend on them. Even those who don’t qualify for the credits will see a significant increase.
Jeremy Tolbert, a 47-year-old web developer from Kansas, is one of those facing a significant premium hike. He told CBS News his family’s monthly premium is set to increase from $2,200 to $2,600 in 2026, not accounting for increased cost-sharing.
Experts warn that the rising costs could force some Americans to forgo health insurance altogether, a risky decision. “It’s like gambling with your health and your wallet,” KFF’s Cox cautioned.
Julie Margetta Morgan, president of The Century Foundation, said consumers will be heading into next year with bigger out-of-pocket expenses, potentially leading some to look to skimpier plans.
With premiums continuing to rise, families like Tolbert’s are considering drastic measures to maintain coverage, including seeking employment solely for the purpose of securing health insurance benefits.
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