Pennsylvanians can expect to see a spike in health care costs in 2026

YORK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has announced new rate increases for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans.

In an October 14 press release , the department announced that average health plans will increase by 21.5% in 2026, with some plans ballooning as high as 37%. State officials attribute the increasing premiums to new enrollment guidelines and Congress failing to extend the enhanced tax credits for the ACA.

“It’s a snowball effect and it’s going to be devastating," said Erin Gabriel with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network.

According to Pennie , people who get their health insurance through the marketplace could see their monthly premiums double or triple without the enhanced tax credits. They estimate that the average monthly premium increase could be