ACA PREMIUMS TO INCREASE IN 2026
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) covered in their research how those who use the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s Marketplace plans will experience an increase in healthcare costs. This will directly impact the disability community, as millions in the disability community use the ACA for their healthcare coverage. This could lead to more medical bills that they cannot afford to pay.
CBPP also has more research articles with factsheets for each state, noting that the mega bill that was passed in July 2025 will not only cut the ACA and Medicaid, but also food assistance. This resource from CBPP can help the disability community stay up to date on these changes. CBPP has a resource list on the budget reconciliation bill that disability health advocates might find helpful.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released an issue brief that goes over how much and why ACA Marketplace premiums are going up in 2026. The ending of the enhanced premium tax credits, which has made health insurance affordable for people with disabilities, adds to the increases in costs.
KFF put out another issue brief that covers the changes to funding for Medicaid and the ACA due to the budget reconciliation bill.
KFF took a deep dive in another issue brief on the $50 billion for the rural health fund in the budget reconciliation bill. This brief made an important point that the rural health fund will be temporary but most of the cuts in healthcare spending are permanent.
The CHIRblog posted in their blog how new federal rules will affect the coverage of treatment of gender dysphoria. This new rule will stop health plans from covering this treatment and will create much more out-of-pocket costs for an already marginalized community.
The disability community utilizes Medicaid, and the ACA Marketplace plans at a higher rate than those without disabilities due to their unique needs. Due to this, the NDNRC wants to make sure that people with disabilities are aware of changes to their healthcare due to major funding cuts to federal healthcare programs.
By updating this newsletter with resources and educational pieces on where disability health policies stand, we hope to ensure that the disability community continues to have access to accessible and affordable healthcare coverage no matter what changes occur in the foreseeable future.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website.