There was a lot to unpack there, all of it pretty horrible...but I felt one provision in particular was worth its own separate post:
Funding Cost-Sharing Reductions.
Enacting section 44202 would affect the cost-sharing reductions that the ACA requires insurers to offer to eligible people who purchase silver plans through the marketplaces. Those reductions increase the actuarial value—the average share of covered medical expenses paid by the insurer—above the amount in other silver plans, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible enrollees. To be eligible for cost-sharing reductions an enrollee’s income must generally fall between 100 percent and 250 percent of the FPL; the subsidy varies with income.
Merged Market Summary for Proposed Rates Effective for 2026
The following tables depict the proposed overall weighted average premium increase and the key assumptions behind premium development for the merged (individual and small employer) market filed by insurance carriers as part of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance rate review process (for rates effective in 2026). This information is subject to change as the rate review process continues.
The Health Care Access Bureau within the Massachusetts Division of Insurance is currently reviewing these assumptions. This review process will culminate in a final decision in August 2025.
There are 711,563 consumers enrolled in merged (individual/small group) market plans (data as of December 2024).
The Congressional Budget Office has published several projections about how many people would lose healthcare coverage and/or become uninsured (these aren't the same thing) under various versions of the #OneBigUglyBill Act passed by House Republicans, which is currently beginning its next phase over on the Senate side of the Capitol.
Their most recent projection put the total at around 11.7 million when you include some technical weirdness which I'm a little vague about...plus another 3.8 million if you include their projection from December 2024 regarding the impact of the upgraded ACA subsidies included in the Inflation Reduction Act being allowed to expire at the end of this year. This placed the grand total at around 15.5 million...except they more recently sent a letter to the House Energy & Commerce Committee which bumped this estimate up a bit more, putting the combined total at 15.9 million.
Oregonians continue to have at least five health insurance companies to choose from in every Oregon county as companies file 2026 health insurance rate requests for individual and small group markets
In-depth rate review process just beginning, opportunities for public review and input remain through June 20
June 2, 2025
Oregon health insurers have submitted proposed 2026 rates for individual and small group plans, launching a months-long review process that includes public input and meetings.
Five insurers will again offer plans statewide (Moda, Bridgespan, PacificSource, Providence, and Regence), and Kaiser is offering insurance in 11 counties, giving six options to choose from in various areas around the state.
Health Carriers Propose Affordable Care Act Premium Rates for 2026
Anticipated loss of federal enhanced premium tax credits leads to highest individual market rate increases proposed since the start of Maryland’s reinsurance program
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration has received the 2026 proposed premium rates for Affordable Care Act products offered by health and dental carriers in the individual, non-Medigap and small group markets, which impact approximately 502,000 Marylanders.
Generally, once a year MVP files for a change to the current premium rates on file for their products based on a review of the adequacy of the rate level. Premiums need to be sufficient to cover all medical and pharmacy claims submitted from covered members, cover the administrative cost of operations, Federal and New York State taxes/assessments levied and New York State statutory reserve requirements.
MVP is proposing a premium rate adjustment effective January 1, 2026. Policyholders will be charged the proposed premium rates upon renewal in 2026 pending New York State’s Department of Financial Services review. There are 13,062 policyholders and 19,125 members currently enrolled in Individual MVP Health Plan, Inc. plans. The proposed premium rate adjustment represents an average increase of 8.00%. Premium changes will vary by plan design.
Premium rates are changing due to the following reasons:
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Fourteen health insurers have requested an average rate change of 21.2% for Washington state's 2026 Individual Health Insurance Market. Insurers base their requested rate changes on assumptions they make about the services their policyholders will use and the cost to deliver that care. The health plans and proposed rate changes are currently under review by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Wellpoint Washington, Inc. is new to the market and plans to sell in Grays Harbor, King and Spokane counties.
Congress Urged to Renew Expiring Enhanced Premium Tax Credits and Prevent Unnecessary Increases in Health Care Costs for New Jersey Residents
Over 450,000 Get Covered New Jersey enrollees would be impacted by loss of expanded financial help
New Jerseyans could lose more than half a billion dollars in federal support and face higher health insurance costs
TRENTON — Warning about significant health insurance premium increases for over 450,000 New Jerseyans, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Justin Zimmerman sent a letter to New Jersey’s Congressional delegation strongly urging them to extend the expiring federal enhanced premium tax credits that have enabled hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents to enroll in quality, affordable health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey, the State’s Official Health Insurance Marketplace.
With potential Federal cuts to Medicaid on the horizon, renewing enhanced premium tax credits to ensure affordable insurance through the marketplace takes on greater significance
AUGUSTA— The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) today announced its support for renewing the enhanced premium tax credits for consumers of the health insurance marketplace.
The enhanced premium tax credits, which were first implemented in 2021 through the American Rescue Act and extended in the Inflation Reduction Act are set to expire at the end of this year unless Congress acts. Allowing these federal tax credits to expire will result in higher health insurance premiums for Maine consumers, potentially putting health coverage out of reach for thousands of Mainers. Overall, the enhanced tax credits are saving Mainers a conservative estimate of nearly $90 million in health care premium savings this year.
Covered California expresses deep concern regarding the proposed health provisions in the reconciliation bill moving through the House of Representatives.
If enacted, the legislation would have devastating consequences to the health, well-being and financial security of hundreds of thousands of Californians who would lose access to affordable health insurance. It would also lead to greater strain on the health care system and increased costs for individuals and businesses throughout the state.
