Premiums Set to Rise Again
Affordable Care Act Marketplace insurers are proposing a 14% median increase in premiums next year, according to a new analysis of rate filings. This would mark the second year in a row of double-digit premium hikes.
The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits this January will lead to many more enrollees seeing a jump in premiums. At the same time, the departure of healthier marketplace enrollees has left behind a smaller, sicker pool of people who are more expensive to cover.
These hikes are on top of already ballooning premiums for employer-provided health insurance, which increased by more than double the rate of inflation in 2025. Family premiums have spiked by over 25% since 2020.
Health care affordability ranks among voters’ top concerns in 2026, according to several large polls.
The cost of employer-based health insurance is destroying businesses and workers, with workers paying the price while lawmakers largely ignore the issue. Health insurers profit off huge prices, and employers accept bad contracts. Lawmakers don’t want to rock the boat, even though the boat has already been battered and run aground.
The preliminary figures, if they hold, would mean many enrollees will see a significant jump in premiums. This is particularly concerning given the already high cost of health care in the US. The Affordable Care Act was designed to make health care more affordable, but rising premiums threaten to undermine this goal.
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In comparison to other health care costs, the proposed premium hikes are notable. For example, the cost of continuous glucose monitors has decreased, with the Dexcom Stelo costing $99 per month. However, the overall trend of rising health care costs continues to be a concern.
Examining how these premium hikes fit into the health care costs system reveals the need for further action. In recent years, there have been efforts to increase transparency and reduce costs, but more work needs to be done to address the root causes of rising premiums.
As the health care system continues to evolve, premium hikes will remain a major concern. With health care affordability ranking among voters’ top concerns, lawmakers will need to take action to address the issue. One possible solution is to increase transparency and competition in the health insurance market, which could help drive down costs and improve affordability.
For now, enrollees will need to wait and see how the proposed premium hikes play out. The Peterson-KFF analysis provides a snapshot of the current state of the health insurance market, but it’s unclear how the final rates will be set. As the situation develops, more information will become available on the impact of the premium hikes and potential solutions to address them.
Workers are paying the price for inaction. Employers are accepting bad contracts, and health insurers are profiting off huge prices.
