ACA Enrollment Opens Amid Uncertainty: Share Your Experience with NPR

The Affordable Care Act marketplaces have opened for the 2026 enrollment period, allowing consumers to shop for next year's health plans. However, the future of the subsidies that made a record number of Americans sign up for ACA plans remains uncertain. Negotiations to reopen the federal government, which is on the brink of ending, also promise a Senate vote on the health care subsidies by the second week of December. But that informal deal is not part of the official legislative text to reopen the government. As a result, many of the 24 million people who buy their health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces are facing uncertainty about their financial assistance for 2026 plans. Since 2021, people who buy their health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces have had extra help - in the form of tax credits - to buy their plans. If Congress can't agree on a compromise, those subsidies that made a record number of Americans sign up for ACA plans will expire for 2026 health plans. "The uncertainty surrounding the subsidies is causing a lot of anxiety for consumers," said Dr. Rachel Nuzum, a health policy expert at the Commonwealth Fund. "Many people rely on these subsidies to afford their health care, and without them, they may not be able to afford the plans they need." Dr. Nuzum emphasized that the subsidies have been instrumental in increasing enrollment in the ACA marketplaces, particularly among low-income individuals and families. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010 to increase health insurance coverage for millions of Americans who were previously uninsured or underinsured. The law expanded Medicaid eligibility and created the health insurance marketplaces, where individuals and small businesses can purchase private health insurance plans. The subsidies, which were introduced in 2021, have helped to make these plans more affordable for many consumers. While the subsidies are still in place for 2025 plans, the uncertainty surrounding their future is causing concern among health care advocates and experts. "We're urging Congress to act quickly to pass a bill that extends the subsidies for 2026 plans," said Sarah Lueck, a senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "The consequences of not doing so could be severe, particularly for low-income individuals and families who rely on these subsidies to afford their health care." The Senate is expected to vote on the health care subsidies by the second week of December, as part of the negotiations to reopen the federal government. However, the outcome of this vote is still uncertain, and many consumers are left wondering what the future holds for their health care coverage. In the meantime, consumers who are shopping for 2026 plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces can still access financial assistance through the subsidies, but only for 2025 plans. To be eligible for the subsidies, consumers must enroll in a plan by December 15, 2025. Consumers who are unsure about their eligibility or need help navigating the enrollment process can contact the HealthCare.gov call center or visit a local enrollment assister for assistance.