Former ACA Marketplace enrollee: ‘This is ridiculous—$1,200 and an $8,000 deductible for a healthy person. Really?’

Almost 10% of people who had an Obamacare Marketplace plan in 2025 decided to head into 2026 without coverage. Another 28% re-enrolled but with a different—presumably lesser—plan. 

In a new KFF survey, both groups name cost as a primary reason for their downward decision.

Survey analysts show the falloff has much to do with the late-2025 expiration of enhanced tax credits for premiums paid. The politically charged expiration effectively cut off financial aid for low-income enrollees in Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans while also raising costs for most enrollees across the board. (Obamacare plans and ACA plans are the same thing.)  

Last fall, while Democrats and Republicans were sparring over the fate of the subsidies—a spat that culminated in a government shutdown—KFF surveyed around 1,300 enrollees of all income levels in 2025 plans. The aim was to gauge enrollees’ level of concern over looming price hikes. (Findings posted here.)  

Then, from Feb. 12 through March 2, the organization re-surveyed the group, drawing responses from 1,117 individuals. This time KFF wanted to learn how people affected by the cost increases were handling the situation. KFF also solicited comments from respondents. 

Among KFF’s new findings, quotes and observations, published online March 19, are these five: 

1. Among the 9% of former enrollees who are now uninsured due to cost concerns, many further worry about how to afford medical care going forward. 

“Even though I make some income—too much for subsidies, even last year—the increase is so high even for those without subsidies,” a 56-year-old woman in Illinois tells KFF. “I simply cannot afford to pay $1,200 a month for insurance. It used to be high premiums meant low deductibles and copays, but not anymore. This is ridiculous. $1,200 for a healthy person, and an $8,000 deductible. Really?”

2. Healthcare costs may be a deciding factor for ACA Marketplace enrollees in the 2026 midterm elections. 

Many who are registered to vote say that the cost of healthcare will have a major impact on their decision to vote (48%) and which party’s candidate they will support (49%) come November, KFF finds. “The issue currently resonates more with Democrats,” KFF reports, “who are more than twice as likely as Republicans to say health costs will play a major impact on their decision to vote in the 2026 midterms (67% vs. 27%) and on which candidate they decide to vote for (70% vs. 30%).”

3. Younger 2025 marketplace enrollees are more likely than their older counterparts to have left the Marketplace as of 2026. 

Among those who still have a Marketplace plan, one in six (17%) returning enrollees say they are “not too” or “not at all” confident they will be able to afford their insurance premiums for all of 2026, KFF notes. “This may put them at risk of losing their Marketplace coverage at some point this year.” 

4. Three-quarters of returning Marketplace enrollees are worried about being able to afford emergency care or hospitalizations. 

At least seven in 10 returning Marketplace enrollees across income groups voice this concern. “However, those with lower incomes are more likely than their higher-income counterparts to worry about being able to afford prescription drugs,” KFF reports. “Those with chronic conditions are more likely than those without such conditions to worry about affording emergency care, routine care and the cost of prescription medications.”

5. Many returning Marketplace enrollees are (or will be) cutting back on food, clothing or basic household items in order to cover healthcare costs. 

Some 37% of the field indicated they were already in this struggling subgroup, while 18% said they were planning to make such cutbacks. Meanwhile 43% are or will be working extra hours or taking an additional job, 23% are or will be skipping or putting off bill-paying, and 21% are or will be taking out a loan or charging living expenses to a credit card account. A 54-year-old woman in California tells KFF she plans to “cut back on food expenses, choose cheaper and fewer dining out experiences, and watch heat and AC usage even more.” 

To get the rest, click here.