Where Affordable Care Act insurance coverage has dropped most in WA

Washington’s rural counties saw the largest drops in insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act after the Republican-controlled Congress failed to extend subsidies that helped consumers afford the plans.

About 250,000 Washingtonians are enrolled this year through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, down roughly 36,500 from 2025. That amounts to a nearly 13% reduction, the biggest falloff since the marketplace launched in 2013.

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State officials estimated last year that as many as 80,000 people could forgo coverage with Congress not extending tax credits for these policies. The issue was at the heart of last fall’s lengthy federal government shutdown as congressional Democrats wanted to see the subsidies extended while Republicans refused.

Premiums rose an average of 21%, due in part to the loss of the enhanced tax credits, which started during the COVID pandemic. The increase was in line with similar hikes nationwide. But losing the subsidies meant even steeper price hikes for some customers.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/01/where-affordable-care-act-insurance-coverage-has-dropped-most-in-wa/