February 25, 2026
The federal government’s extended tax credits to make health insurance more accessible expired at the end of last year after Congress failed to reach an agreement last fall. The loss of the tax credits means that people who participated in state-run health insurance marketplaces (known as the Health Connector in Massachusetts) faced increased monthly premium payments at the start of 2026. Some households are now subjected to monthly costs two to three times higher than what they previously paid.
In late January, the Health Connector reported that over 22,000 individuals – double the usual amount - canceled their renewal plans for the year, with many citing lack of affordability as a barrier. Of those still enrolled, the portion that do not receive financial assistance doubled from 13% to 25%. And, in mid-February, the Health Connector reported that 35,000 across the state were disenrolled after failing to pay the premiums. These trends occur despite state action to alleviate increasing costs. Health Connector leadership expect the losses to continue as households struggle to pay for insurance.