Exclusive-Americans waiting for Obamacare subsidies delay or drop health insurance

By Amina Niasse

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Officials from several U.S. states say Americans relying on subsidies to afford Obamacare health insurance are holding off on enrolling as they face 2026 premium hikes that could more than double, with one state seeing enrollment drag by as much as 33%.

Of more than a dozen states that directly sell to their residents plans established under the Affordable Care Act – often called Obamacare – seven including California and Maryland told Reuters sign-ups are lagging compared to a year ago.

There is still time for enrollment to pick up, some said, with the next few weeks seen as crucial. A December vote in the U.S. Senate – should it happen – could still be an 11th-hour rescue for the program’s subsidies. Other major changes would be difficult to impleme