Approximately 3 million fewer people in the U.S. had Affordable Care Act health insurance plans in February compared to the previous year, a 13% drop. Health analysts attribute this decline to the expiration of federal subsidies, leading to increased plan costs and unaffordable premiums for many.
The decline in ACA enrollment signifies a significant loss of health coverage for millions of Americans, directly impacting their access to healthcare and financial stability. This trend highlights the critical role of federal subsidies in maintaining affordability and accessibility of health insurance, particularly for working-age individuals without employer-sponsored plans, and underscores affo
Approximately 3 million fewer people in the United States had Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plans in February compared to the same time last year, according to new federal data. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported a 13% drop in enrollment, from 22.1 million people in 2025 to 19.2 million this year.
While the department suggested a federal crackdown on fraudulent enrollment could be a factor, health analysts attribute the decline primarily to the expiration of federal subsidies on January 1. This expiration led to a surge in plan costs, making premiums unaffordable for many individuals. Survey findings indicate that people who lost coverage faced double or triple-digit increases in their premium payments.
The data, compiled in April but reflecting coverage in February, is the government's first official look at how the inability to pay bills after a nonpayment grace period expired impacted total enrollment. Health analysts expect the number of people in the ACA program to continue decreasing throughout the year.
These subsidies were a central point of contention in Congress, with Democrats and some Republicans advocating for their renewal. The rising health costs come as affordability is a major concern for voters ahead of the upcoming November elections.