Open enrollment for 2026 coverage on the Affordable Care Act exchanges is underway. And millions of consumers are now seeing just how expensive their health insurance policies will be without the enhanced premium subsidies that have been in place since 2021.

The enhanced subsidies , which are scheduled to lapse at year’s end, have enabled many lower-income Americans to obtain coverage with no or very low monthly premiums and broadened eligibility for assistance to many middle-class consumers.

But that will all change if Congress does not agree to renew the more generous subsidies — a central sticking point in the federal spending talks to reopen the government. Those who will be hit the hardest by soaring premiums include lower-income, older and middle class enrollees.

The amount

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