FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
May 1, 2026 
Contact: Jack Cardinal, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org 

“We are experiencing a very real affordability crisis in this country.” 

BOSTON, MA — New data released this week is confirming what health justice organizations have been warning about for the last year – failure to extend tax credits for people who buy their own insurance is driving consumers to buy plans with steep out-of-pocket costs or go uninsured altogether. This is compounding the initial drop in ACA enrollment this year, largely attributed to congressional Republicans’ rejection of continued enhanced premium tax credits for enrollees. Paired with their significant cuts to Medicaid, we could be facing the largest drop in health insurance rates in our nation’s history. 

Statement from Colin Reusch, Director of Policy at Community Catalyst: 

“We are experiencing a very real affordability crisis in this country. The rising out-of-pocket costs for healthcare – in the form of sky-high premiums, towering deductibles and paying full cost for care out-of-pocket – are being compounded by the rising cost of gas, food and housing. While Congress debates how many billions of dollars are needed for federal agencies and military actions, the bank accounts of everyday people are running on fumes. 
 
“When people go uninsured, it creates strain across the entire healthcare system. Costs on insured people go up, regardless of the type of insurance they have, and hospitals provide more care they won’t get reimbursed for, jeopardizing their sustainability – particularly in rural areas.  
 
“We cannot work toward a future where healthcare is a right until we at least reinstate the tax credits that have been the only pathway for millions of people to buy health insurance and push the administration and congressional leadership to get serious about addressing healthcare costs.” 

Affordability remains a top concern for voters. Polling last year from Community Catalyst showed that a majority of people across the political spectrum were struggling to afford healthcare even before the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits and want the government to play a greater role in the regulation of healthcare as a public good.  

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About Community Catalyst:  

Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for racial equity and health justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and healthcare are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org.