Iowa Republicans Get What They Voted For: Higher Health Insurance Prices, Fewer People Insured

DES MOINES – Iowa’s Republican congressional delegation let premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act expire at the beginning of the year, knowing it would make health insurance premiums skyrocket and force thousands of Iowans off their health insurance plans. 

Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn got what they wished for. ACA premiums are now more expensive and fewer folks are signed up than last year as today marks the last day for Americans to enroll. 

The expiration of the extra subsidies has doubled the amount people will have to pay for insurance. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services released data showing sign-ups are down more than 1.4 million from last year. As a result, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that two million more Americans will become uninsured this year. 

Last year, nearly 137,000 Iowans were enrolled in the ACA marketplace. Iowans have already spoken out about the price increases they were seeing during the 2026 enrollment period. 

“Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn did absolutely nothing as the Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits expired this year and prices were set to skyrocket,” said IDP Chair Rita Hart. “Now, on the last day of the enrollment period, more people are uninsured and prices for health insurance are higher than ever. Are they proud of their work?” 

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