Health insurance rates are about to skyrocket

Big changes are coming to health insurance in 2026, and hardly anyone is talking about it.

During COVID-19, Congress expanded tax credits that helped millions of Americans – especially families, older adults and the self-employed – afford health insurance. Those enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025. If nothing is done, the financial hit could be devastating.

I've seen estimates showing middle-class families facing premium hikes of $15,000 to $25,000 a year. A 64-year-old couple making $85,000 could go from paying $380 a month to over $2,300 a month – nearly 30% of their income, before even touching a deductible.

This isn't just a big-city issue. It will hit Southwest Colorado especially hard, where wages are modest and out-of-pocket medical costs can break a budget. And yet, according to industry professionals, lawmakers in both parties are saying this isn't even on constituents' radars.

If we don't speak up, these changes will go through quietly – and millions will be priced out of coverage or pushed into medical debt. We need to tell our elected officials: Health insurance must remain affordable, and letting these subsidies expire is not an option.

Call your reps and demand they protect Enhanced Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC) – before it's too late.

Chris Cottrell

Durango

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