As ACA tax credits expire, Ohio families face rising health costs

By Farah Siddiqi

Enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired last Wednesday and health advocates said Ohioans who buy their own insurance could see sharp increases in their premiums in 2026.

Some lawmakers are discussing renewed federal help but no extension has passed so far. The enhanced credits lowered monthly premiums for many people who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act. With the credits now expired, analysts said many shoppers will pay more for the same plans and some may decide coverage is out of reach.

Open enrollment for 2026 plans continues through Jan. 15 on the federal marketplace.

Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, said federal budget decisions are already squeezing families’ basic expenses.

"We’ve seen SNAP benefits cut so that families with needy children are not able to get the food and assistance that they need," Cropper pointed out. "Currently, all the benefits are going towards corporations and not going to the people who actually need help getting by."

Coverage losses are also expected, with many people considering if they need to drop their plan due to cost.

Health providers said when coverage becomes unaffordable, people often delay routine care, which can push more patients into already crowded emergency rooms.

Rick Lucas, president and executive director of the Ohio Nurses Association and a staff nurse at OSU Wexner, said the loss of both tax credits and Medicaid funding has created a crisis.

"Taking away Medicaid means taking away primary care," Lucas emphasized. "That’s all the care that happens away from the hospital. And so these patients are going to wait until they’re sick and have an emergency, and then they’re going to come and seek acute care services in the emergency department."

Supporters of restoring the enhanced tax credits said it would stabilize premiums and prevent coverage losses, while opponents argued the subsidies are too costly. For now, Ohio advocates are urging people to compare plan options before the January deadline.