ACA Premiums Set to Soar in 2026 – What this means for Calaveras County
If you or someone you love gets health insurance through Covered California, you’ll want to pay close attention to what’s happening in Washington right now.
According to a new report by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, health insurance premiums are expected to jump by 75% in 2026 for people who buy their own insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. That’s because the extra subsidies that have kept prices down since the pandemic are set to expire—and Congress didn’t vote to extend them in their recently passed Budget Reconciliation bill (the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill). Our Congressman, Tom McClintock (CD5) voted ‘YES’ on this harmful legislation, putting thousands of his constituent’s health care at risk.
Why This Matters to Rural Families
Here in Calaveras County, many of us are self-employed, work part-time, work for small independent businesses, or rely on seasonal jobs—jobs that typically don’t come with health benefits. That means more people in our community use Covered California or Medi-Cal than in urban areas where employer-sponsored plans are the norm.
When subsidies disappear, a plan that costs you $250 a month now could shoot up to $438—or more for higher priced plans at lower subsidy levels. For many families, these increases will not be affordable. And if fewer people can afford to stay insured, our rural health system will feel the impact. Fewer insured patients mean fewer resources for local clinics and hospitals—some of which are already hanging by a thread.
A Dangerous One-Two Punch
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. These premium hikes come at the same time as federal Medicaid cuts, passed in the recent GOP-backed bill—nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”— which slashes funding for the very programs rural families count on most: Medicaid (MediCal in California), SNAP, Pell Grants, and even home heating assistance.
Combined, these changes could push 17 million Americans off their health coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It’s not just numbers on a page—it’s neighbors, seniors, and working families right here in Calaveras.
What Comes Next?
Unless Congress acts to extend the ACA subsidies, the rate hikes will go into effect in 2026. But the political winds don’t appear to be blowing that way. Republican leaders in Congress have made it clear they want to let these subsidies expire. They argue that the government shouldn’t be helping people pay for health insurance—even if it means millions lose coverage.
We’ve come a long way since the ACA first passed. More people in Calaveras have insurance now than ever before. But that progress is at risk.
What Can We Do?
It’s time to speak up—for our families, our neighbors, and our rural health system. Contact your House and Senate representatives and tell them to restore the ACA premium subsidies. Share this post with others in our community. And stay informed as this story develops.
We’ll be watching—and we’ll keep you posted.