Democracy Dies in Darkness

ACA health care premiums are rising. These 8 Americans showed us how much.

Premiums for health insurance sold through the Affordable Care Act are soaring because of the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the heart of the government shutdown.

4 min
People nationwide are facing dramatically higher health care premium costs next year. (Courtesy of Noell Resil; Courtesy of David Pardo; Diane Swintal)

Americans are coming face-to-face with the rising health insurance costs at the center of the longest government shutdown in history — and what it means for their pocketbooks next year.

Since open enrollment started Nov. 1, they’ve been able to buy health plans for 2026 on Healthcare.gov and state-run marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. Nearly all are finding they will have to pay more — some, significantly more — for their monthly premiums. Costs are soaring because health insurance is getting pricier and enhanced subsidies Congress approved nearly five years ago are going away.

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