MADISON, Wis. — Yesterday, a new report came out detailing the impacts of Republicans’ crusade against health care, which led to fewer Wisconsinites enrolling in the federal marketplace. The decline is due, in part, to rising health care prices caused by Republicans’ failure to continue premium tax credits. As a result of these higher costs, more Wisconsinites are unable to afford care and are being forced to go uninsured.
Wisconsin Examiner: Enrollment in Affordable Care Act health plans drops in Wisconsin, nationwide
By: Erik Gunn | 1/13/26
With premium costs sharply increased and enhanced subsidies to reduce them no longer available, the number of people signing up for health care in the federal marketplace is behind last year by more than 5%, according to a preliminary report.
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which manages the HealthCare.gov enrollment, reported this week that Wisconsin enrollment fell by more than 17,000 below 2025’s record enrollment, which topped 310,000. As of Jan. 3, 289,213 Wisconsin residents had enrolled in plans for 2026.
HealthCare.gov is the marketplace created as part of the Affordable Care Act. It is a platform for people to purchase health insurance who aren’t covered by an employer or by some other health plan, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
Nationwide, enrollment for 2026 is 22.77 million, CMS reported — a decline of about 1.5 million from 2025.
The loss of enhanced premium tax credits, which cut the cost of health insurance purchased at HealthCare.gov, has been predicted to lead many to drop out of the marketplace. The enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025. Smaller subsidies remain in place, but premiums have also risen in cost, for several reasons.
According to insurance analysts, one factor in that increase was that insurance companies expected the higher prices to drive some people out of the marketplace — particularly those with fewer health concerns who are willing to take the chance that they won’t need coverage.
The remaining population is expected to have more serious health needs, making their care more expensive but also raising the cost for insuring the entire remaining pool of customers.
The U.S. House has passed a bill that would extend the enhanced subsidies another three years. Its future in the U.S. Senate isn’t clear.
Open enrollment through HealthCare.gov is still available until Thursday, Jan. 15, with coverage starting Feb. 1. For consumers who enrolled by Dec. 15, 2025, coverage began Jan. 1.
