finance
ACA enrollment falls 13 percent to 19.2 million after federal subsidies expire
Federal data show 3 million fewer people held Affordable Care Act coverage in February than a year earlier. Officials attribute part of the decline to the January 1 end of enhanced subsidies that had lowered premiums.
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About 3 million fewer people held Affordable Care Act health insurance plans in February compared with the same month last year, according to new federal data released Friday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported enrollment dropped from 22.1 million in 2025 to 19.2 million this year.
Officials said part of the 13 percent decline could stem from a federal review that removed fraudulent or "phantom" enrollments.
Premium increases after subsidy expiration Health analysts said the larger factor was the January 1 expiration of federal subsidies that had reduced monthly premiums. Without the assistance, many enrollees faced higher costs and stopped paying, according to a KFF vice president.
The new figures, compiled in April, capture enrollment after a nonpayment grace period ended. An earlier January estimate had already shown roughly 800,000 fewer sign-ups than the prior year.
Projected further decline KFF projects total ACA enrollment could fall to about 17.5 million by year-end. The program covers working-age adults who do not qualify for Medicaid and lack employer coverage. The expired subsidies had been the subject of congressional debate last fall. Voters in the November elections have listed health-care affordability among their top concerns.
