North Carolina Couple Drops ACA Coverage After Premiums Jump Above $550

3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 15

$550-a-month premiums pushed Ross and Rebecca Tobiassen to cancel ACA coverage they had kept since 2014, after their monthly bill rose from about $130 when enhanced tax credits expired.
The lapse reflects a broader affordability hit from the end of the Biden-era subsidies, which had helped drive ACA enrollment to about 24 million by sharply lowering premiums for many families.
KFF-cited Wakely research estimated marketplace enrollment could fall from more than 22 million at the end of 2025 to as low as 16.5 million in 2026.
North Carolina has seen the steepest state decline so far, with 2026 ACA signups down 22% from a year earlier — more than 213,000 fewer people enrolled.
Researchers and enrollment counselors say healthier people dropping coverage can worsen the risk pool, raising future premiums further and risking an insurance 'death spiral.'

Sources

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CBS New York8h ago

Ross and Rebecca Tobiassen Cancel ACA Insurance After Premiums Jump to Over $550

Kaiser Health News8h ago

They're Uninsured After Obamacare Became Too Costly. And They're Far From Alone. - KFF Health News

AOL8h ago

They're uninsured after Obamacare became too costly. They're far from alone. - AOL

With insurers now exiting the marketplace, is the ACA exchange heading for another 'death spiral'?

As millions lose ACA coverage, are 'coverage stacks' a realistic solution or a risky gamble?

Can state-funded subsidies effectively replace expired federal aid and stabilize local insurance markets?

Unprecedented 22% ACA Enrollment Decline Hits North Carolina in 2026: What Happened and What’s Next?

Overview

In 2026, North Carolina saw an unprecedented 22% drop in Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollments, losing 214,000 sign-ups compared to the previous year. This sharp decline was mainly caused by the expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, which led to a significant increase in health insurance costs. As a result, many residents either dropped their coverage or had to pay more for plans with higher deductibles. Some counties experienced out-of-pocket cost hikes of 30% or more, and nearly every county saw enrollment fall. The loss of subsidies and rising costs forced many North Carolinians to reconsider their health insurance options.

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