FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 30, 2026 
Contact: Jack Cardinal, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org 

BOSTON, MA — The final enrollment data showing a 3 million person decline for the 2026 ACA open enrollment period confirms what families and enrollment assisters lifted up for the last year: we are in a health care affordability crisis. People have been priced out of buying health insurance because the financial help they relied on has been cut.  

With the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits on Dec. 31, 2025, and no comparable support in place, three million people and many more families are now facing a year without health insurance and are one medical emergency away from a lifetime of medical debt.  
 
“The drop in ACA enrollment is yet another proof point that health insurance remains unaffordable and had been exacerbated by the sunset of the enhanced premium tax credits,” said Shaina Goodman, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at Community Catalyst. “With historic cuts to Medicaid now hitting states, we are likely to see even more people and families going without health coverage. We are going backwards as a country: back to a time of high uninsurance, massive amounts of medical debt, strained local economies, and prices rising on everyone – regardless of their insurance coverage.” 

Years of price increases in health care, historic federal cuts to Medicaid, and the loss of affordability programs and protections like enhanced tax credits have left millions with no real options and no safety net.  

They are people like Jason, a freelance illustrator, who relies on ACA health insurance to treat his cancer and stay cancer free. 

Or James, a small business owner who relies on affordable ACA coverage to give his employees the care they need while controlling his business costs. 

Or Ricky, who works multiple jobs, none of which provide healthcare and relies on affordable ACA health insurance to keep him and his wife healthy.  

“Unfortunately, the next wave of health insurance losses looms as states try to implement rushed and reckless work reporting requirements for Medicaid health insurance with less federal funding,” said Goodman. “Congress should act quickly to reverse the Medicaid cuts and work to create relief for the millions now priced out of insurance coverage while moving on policies that will make the 2027 ACA enrollment period affordable for families once again.” 

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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 health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org.