Millions of Americans have lost health insurance after lawmakers let enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans expire following last year’s government shutdown battle, a study released Thursday found.
About 1 in 10 Americans who were enrolled in an ACA plan last year now have no health coverage, according to surveys by the health care research nonprofit KFF. That amounts to around 2 million people.
“The prices are simply too high,” a 34-year-old Texas man who dropped coverage told researchers, saying his premiums would have been $800 a month for himself and his partner. “I don’t think we could afford our mortgage if I had to pay for health insurance.”
Among those who reenrolled in the ACA marketplace, 80% said their premiums, deductibles or co-pays have increased from last year. About half of enrollees characterize their costs as “a lot higher.”
A majority of returning enrollees say they already have or will soon be cutting back on food and basic household supplies to afford their ACA plans this year.
