📈 ACA Premiums Spike as Open Enrollment Begins
On November 1, 2025, the ACA Marketplace opened for 2026 enrollment — and the sticker shock is real.
- Premiums are rising by an average of 26%, with some enrollees seeing increases of over 300%.
- Without the enhanced subsidies, the average out-of-pocket premium will more than double — a 114% increase.
- One enrollee told ABC News: “I don’t know if I’ve ever cried opening a letter from an insurance company before, but it happened this time”.
This isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s not a budget line item. It’s real people opening real letters and realizing they can’t afford to stay insured.
🧱 “Nothing to Negotiate”: GOP Refuses to Act
Speaker Mike Johnson has made the GOP position clear: “I quite literally have nothing to negotiate”. He’s refused to recall House Republicans to resume talks, even as millions face higher costs and the government remains shut down.
Meanwhile, Democrats are actively fighting to extend the subsidies, which were originally expanded during the pandemic and have helped over 22 million Americans afford coverage.
So who’s to blame?
- Democrats: Pushing to extend ACA subsidies and reopen the government with protections for working families.
- Republicans: Blocking subsidy extensions, refusing to negotiate, and prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy — including new exemptions for tips, overtime, and Social Security income.
🧮 The Bottom Line
This isn’t about fiscal responsibility. It’s about who gets help and who gets hurt.
- SNAP benefits have already lapsed, hitting red states hardest.
- ACA premiums are skyrocketing, and the GOP response is: “We have nothing to negotiate”.
- Meanwhile, tax breaks for the rich are expanding — and the shutdown won’t stop that.