It Looks Like Year 2 of Steep ACA Rate Hikes

Health insurance sticker shock under the Affordable Care Act isn't easing up—in fact, insurers now want a second straight year of big jumps. The Wall Street Journal reports that major ObamaCare carriers are asking for double-digit premium increases for 2027, on top of this year's steep hikes. In Washington state, Centene is seeking a 28% bump after raising rates 35% for 2026, while Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is asking for 15% after a 28% increase this year. A KFF analysis of 77 filings in 15 states and DC finds a median requested increase of 14% for 2027, following a 20% median rise in 2026.

"Middle-class enrollees making 400% of the poverty level or more will face an especially stark increase in costs," the AP notes. Insurers point to fast-climbing costs for hospital care and specialty drugs, as well as to the rollback of federal subsidies that started in 2026. Those subsidy cuts have pushed many people to drop coverage—enrollment fell to 19.2 million in February from 22.1 million a year earlier, leaving a smaller, sicker pool that's more expensive to insure, per the Journal. More here, as more companies exit the ACA market and the midterms loom.