ACA Insurers Seek 18% Premium Hikes for 2026

Health insurers selling on the Affordable Care Act marketplace filed rate requests with a median increase of 18% for 2026 plan year, the largest single-year jump since ACA implementation. Insurers cited expiring enhanced subsidies, rising drug costs, and post-pandemic utilization increases. The Biden-era enhanced premium tax credits were set to expire at year end unless Congress acted.