Affordable Care Act enrollment drops as monthly premiums rise

ATLANTA — As monthly premiums continue to climb, enrollment in the Affordable Care Act is declining.

New data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows about 23 million people signed up during the open enrollment period through Jan. 15. That’s down from 24.2 million people who enrolled during the same period in 2025.

Officials say the decline follows the expiration of enhanced subsidies last year, which had helped keep health insurance costs lower.