Iowa Republicans Get What They Voted For: Higher Health Insurance Prices, Fewer People Enrolled in the ACA
About 10 percent fewer Iowans are enrolled in the ACA in 2026
DES MOINES – Fewer Iowans are enrolled in the Affordable Care Act in 2026 after Iowa’s Republican congressional delegation let premium tax credits for the ACA 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.
According to new numbers from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, there are 13,529 fewer Iowans enrolled in the ACA in 2026 than there were enrolled in 2025. That’s about a 10 percent drop year-over-year.
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.
“Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn did absolutely nothing to help Iowans as the Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits expired this year and prices were set to skyrocket,” said IDP Chair Rita Hart. “Now, fewer Iowans are enrolled in the ACA and prices for health insurance are higher than ever. Do they have any solutions for Iowans who need health insurance?”
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