PENNSYLVANIA — When Pennie open enrollment starts on November 1 for Pennsylvanians shopping for their own health insurance, they will face another year of impossibly high costs for health care. Pennsylvania’s 2027 marketplace premiums are going up 16%. This follows a massive 34% increase in 2025 after a Republican-led Congress allowed health care) tax credits to expire in 2025 to pay for tax breaks for the rich. Many families are now forced to make difficult choices between ensuring they can see a doctor when they need to, and paying for other necessities.

“My wife and I are now uninsured because we can no longer afford the cost of health coverage after the health care tax credits went away. We’re left worrying about what would happen if one of us got sick or had an unexpected medical emergency,” said Charles from Pocono Township. “No one should have to go without health insurance because they can’t afford it, but that’s the reality we’re facing. We want to be able to plan for our future without worrying that one health crisis could put us in a financial hole.”

Their experience reflects the consequences of policy decisions made in Washington. When Congress allowed enhanced ACA tax credits to expire, it took away financial assistance that helped millions of Americans afford coverage. In 2026, Pennsylvanians enrolled in marketplace plans saw their average monthly premiums rise by 102% because the health care tax credits expired. As of October 6, 2026, 214,000 individuals have canceled their Pennie coverage. . Now, another cost increase is looming at a time when many families are barely balancing grocery, utility and fuel bills.

“I work in home care, and I rely on ACA tax credits to afford my own health insurance. When those tax credits were eliminated, my insurance costs nearly doubled,” said Lynn, a homecare worker from Allentown. “It feels like I’m being penalized for working and trying to support myself. I earn too much to qualify for some kinds of help, but not enough to comfortably afford these higher costs. These increases are pushing me over a cliff - I’m working hard to get by, only to see rising expenses eat away at what I earn.”

These are the consequences of decisions that put affordable coverage further out of reach. People should not have to choose between paying for health insurance and covering groceries, housing or other basic needs. And they should not have to risk going without care because the cost of staying insured has become too high.

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Affordable Pennsylvania is a Pennsylvania organization focused on holding elected leaders accountable for the decisions they make and their impact on working families. We make sure Pennsylvanians have the facts about how federal policies and votes affect the cost of everyday life, including groceries, health care, child care, utilities and transportation.