Potential Surge in Uninsured Rates Looms as ACA Subsidies and Medicaid Work Requirements Approach
According to Ciara Zachary, PhD, MPH, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies coupled with the implementation of Medicaid work requirements in 2027 could lead to a significant increase in the number of uninsured Americans – possibly exceeding pre-ACA levels.
Dr.Zachary explains that ending the subsidies will likely cause health insurance premiums to dramatically increase,making coverage unaffordable for many who currently rely on the ACA for extensive and affordable care.Faced with competing financial pressures like groceries and transportation, some individuals, particularly those in good health, may choose to forgo health insurance altogether. This could destabilize the insurance marketplace and drive up costs further.
The loss of subsidies is expected to immediately increase the number of uninsured. When combined with potential coverage losses due to Medicaid work requirements – even from administrative hurdles like paperwork – the US could see uninsured rates return to, or even surpass, those seen before the ACA was enacted. this could leave over 10 million people without health insurance.
