ACA Individual Market Enrollment Drops 17%–26% In 2026 Following Expiration Of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual market enrollment for 2026 declined between 17% and 26% compared to 2025, according to a recent analysis, reflecting the impact of expiring federal premium subsidies and rising consumer costs.
The decline follows the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. These subsidies, originally established under the American Rescue Plan Act and extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, had capped Marketplace premiums at 8.5% of income and enabled many individuals to access $0 premium plans.
With those subsidies removed:
Monthly premium costs increased by approximately 114% for subsidized enrollees
Premiums increased . . .
