3 million Americans have dropped Obamacare health coverage over past year, after Republicans let federal subsidies expire

June 27, 2026 - 20:17

A new report reveals that approximately 3 million Americans have lost their Obamacare health coverage over the past year, following the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies that Republicans allowed to lapse. The KFF, a nonpartisan health policy organization, now expects the total enrollment in the government healthcare program to keep falling throughout the year. Projections suggest the number could drop to a low of about 17.5 million, down from the current 19.2 million enrollees.

The decline marks a significant reversal for the Affordable Care Act marketplace, which had seen record enrollment numbers when the temporary subsidies were in place. Those subsidies, part of pandemic-era relief legislation, made premiums more affordable for millions of middle-class families. When they expired at the end of last year, many people found their monthly costs had jumped sharply, forcing them to drop their plans.

Health policy experts warn that the trend could accelerate if Congress does not act to restore the financial assistance. Without it, the number of uninsured Americans is likely to rise, especially in states that did not expand Medicaid. The KFF analysis highlights that the losses are hitting lower-income households the hardest, as they face the steepest premium increases. Advocates for the uninsured are urging lawmakers to reinstate the subsidies, arguing that the coverage losses undermine years of progress in reducing the uninsured rate. The situation remains fluid, with enrollment periods and state-level policies also influencing the final numbers.