Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire at midnight, potentially leading to a significant increase in health insurance premiums, according to analysis firm KFF.The expiration of these tax credits, which were central to the country’s longest federal government shutdown that ended last month, could result in premiums rising by an average of 114%. Those closer to retirement age or with higher incomes may experience the largest impact.This development comes as the government faces the possibility of another shutdown, with temporary funding from the last shutdown only extending through January.How will this impact Covered California? Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, which was created under the Affordable Care Act. It provides insurance to more than 1.9 million people who can’t get covered through their job, and offers discounts on premiums for most recipients. The open enrollment deadline to receive coverage in January is Dec. 31. After that there is still time to sign up for coverage in 2026 before open enrollment ends on Jan. 31. California has allocated $190 million for 2026 to help offset the loss of Affordable Care Act credits. Earlier this month, the state said that more than 364,000 people had enrolled with state subsidies. According to the state, the support will keep monthly premiums consistent with 2025 levels for those with an annual income of up to $23,475 for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four.Covered California says that nearly 92% of Covered California’s enrollees receive assistance, with nearly half qualifying for insurance that costs $10 or less. Still, nearly a quarter could receive a Silver plan for the same price in 2026, while 17% of renewing customers could pay $0 in premiums if they keep their current plan. Still, Covered California’s Executive Director Jessica Altman said that up to 400,000 people could become uninsured due to the rising costs.Learn more at CoveredCA.com. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channelPHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=

Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire at midnight, potentially leading to a significant increase in health insurance premiums, according to analysis firm KFF.

The expiration of these tax credits, which were central to the country’s longest federal government shutdown that ended last month, could result in premiums rising by an average of 114%. Those closer to retirement age or with higher incomes may experience the largest impact.

This development comes as the government faces the possibility of another shutdown, with temporary funding from the last shutdown only extending through January.

How will this impact Covered California?

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, which was created under the Affordable Care Act. It provides insurance to more than 1.9 million people who can’t get covered through their job, and offers discounts on premiums for most recipients.

The open enrollment deadline to receive coverage in January is Dec. 31. After that there is still time to sign up for coverage in 2026 before open enrollment ends on Jan. 31.

California has allocated $190 million for 2026 to help offset the loss of Affordable Care Act credits. Earlier this month, the state said that more than 364,000 people had enrolled with state subsidies.

According to the state, the support will keep monthly premiums consistent with 2025 levels for those with an annual income of up to $23,475 for an individual or $48,225 for a family of four.

Covered California says that nearly 92% of Covered California’s enrollees receive assistance, with nearly half qualifying for insurance that costs $10 or less. Still, nearly a quarter could receive a Silver plan for the same price in 2026, while 17% of renewing customers could pay $0 in premiums if they keep their current plan.

Still, Covered California’s Executive Director Jessica Altman said that up to 400,000 people could become uninsured due to the rising costs.

Learn more at CoveredCA.com.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel