Governor Maura Healey sounded the alarm Monday over a potentially “skyrocketing” increase in health insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents, urging President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers in Congress to immediately renew the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits.
Up to 340,000 residents could lose all or part of their federal ACA premium assistance, with average costs rising by about $1,300 per month in 2026. In some cases, especially among seniors and rural residents, annual increases could reach $25,000.
These figures were reported by Fall River Reporter, citing Governor Maura Healey.
“The price of everything is going up under President Trump… With the open enrollment period now underway, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are driving up premiums by thousands of dollars next year and kicking thousands of Massachusetts residents off their health insurance,” Healey said, calling on federal leaders to “act now.”
“They must act to prevent these cost increases and protect access to health care,” she insisted, according to Fall River Reporter.
“They must act to prevent these cost increases and protect access to health care,” she insisted, according to Fall River Reporter.
The debate comes as enhanced ACA tax credits, extended in 2021 and set to end in 2025, near expiration. Healey and 17 governors have urged Congress to renew the subsidies, which help about 336,000 people via the Massachusetts Health Connector.
On the ground, the effects are already being felt during the Open Enrollment period.
“In the first week of enrollment, our members are already reaching out to us with worry and confusion as they face sharp premium increases due to inaction on enhanced Premium Tax Credits,” said Audrey Morse Gasteier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector.
“It’s not too late for Congress to act. We are ready to move mountains once an extension is in place, and quickly deliver this vital support to our members,” added Audrey Morse Gasteier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector (Fall River Reporter).
“It’s not too late for Congress to act. We are ready to move mountains once an extension is in place, and quickly deliver this vital support to our members,” added Audrey Morse Gasteier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector (Fall River Reporter).
Local social service organizations are equally concerned about the human toll.
“So many of the people we see are completely overwhelmed about how they’re going to survive,” said Tina Alu, Executive Director of the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee.
“In a country this wealthy, people shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent, feeding their families, or having health insurance.”
“In a country this wealthy, people shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent, feeding their families, or having health insurance.”
Beyond the tax credits, the state government is criticizing a federal legislative proposal nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which it says could remove 85,000 residents from Health Connector coverage next year by changing ACA eligibility. This could increase financial strain on hospitals and health centers if more people turn to uncompensated emergency care. National media reports that the bill, supported by Republican lawmakers, would shorten sign-up periods and limit automatic re-enrollment—measures that, according to analyses cited by The Washington Post, could reduce coverage in Massachusetts and nationwide if enacted.
In response to the urgency, Healey publicly called for a swift vote on Capitol Hill.
“What we need now is for the Republicans and the President to get back to work in Congress and pass the extension of the tax credits,” she said during a press conference Monday, according to Boston 25 News.
Industry experts and state marketplace officials have warned in recent weeks that a last-minute extension would be difficult to implement without major disruptions, given that the enrollment period began on November 1 and rates have already been submitted. Politico reported in mid-October that without quick action, double-digit premium hikes and coverage losses could occur — especially among enrollees who do not qualify for income-based assistance.
Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Health Connector notes on its website that upcoming federal changes to eligibility and subsidies “could affect your coverage and costs starting in 2026,” directing residents to comparison tools and assistance resources to mitigate the financial impact during re-enrollment.
If enhanced tax credits are not renewed, over 300,000 marketplace enrollees would lose federal aid, and roughly 26,000 could lose subsidies entirely in 2026. Others would face substantial premium increases.
The Healey administration and advocacy groups are informing residents and pushing for swift solutions to avoid loss of coverage.
Gasteier emphasized readiness to quickly deliver support once an extension is approved.
Residents should review and renew their plans during the 2026 Open Enrollment period for coverage.
Source: https://fallriverreporter.com
