Covered California health insurance will cost more in 2026. Here's what's behind the double-digit increase

[lostincalifornia]

"Rising health care costs, the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and policy-driven market uncertainty together are fueling the hike, Covered California Director Jessica Altman said.

Insurers in recent years have expected health care costs to increase by about 8% each year. That makes up the bulk of next year’s increase. But Altman said about 2% of the rate increase in the state’s version of the Affordable Care Act marketplace is based on federal financial assistance that expires at the end of the year.

President Donald Trump’s signature spending and tax reform bill — the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — left out funding for enhanced premium tax credits used by more than 90% of Affordable Care Act enrollees nationwide. Congress enacted these subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure people had health insurance. Since then, Affordable Care Act enrollment has nearly doubled nationwide from 12 million to 24 million people.

“We’ve never been through a loss in affordability like the expiration of the enhanced tax credits,” Altman said.

Congress could still decide to re-up the subsidies in September. If it doesn’t, California will lose about $2.1 billion in enhanced tax credits for consumers."

https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/15/covered-california-health-insurance-rates/?active=yesD&campaign=coronavirus&lctg=B40A9445E57354EC84A5C5F6AC&utm_email=B40A9445E57354EC84A5C5F6AC

The main reason is because the rethugs are getting rid of the subsides.

This is how the republlicans plan to destroy the ACA and endanger the lives of millions.

[Auggie]

1. A little over a 10% increase. So without subsidies ...

a couple in their mid 50s to early 60s (like we were a while back), who would have had to pay somewhere around $1950 a month for a Preferred Provider plan, will see premiums jump by $195.00 a month. WITH a yearly deductible of, what, $6000.00? The HMO option was about $1800 a month with a deductible of $9000.00.

(this is based on estimated premiums I remember before Mrs. Auggie and I went on Medicare.)

Way back when the ACA was being debated, many said (even the repukes who voted against it) that it was incentive "not to work" in order to qualify for subsidies. With reduced subsidies it sounds like incentive "not to want to live."

It's insane that it has come to this.