...I'm bringing all of this back up again today because I strongly suspect that the situation is about to reverse itself, with the Trump Administration already preparing to brag about impressive-sounding ACA enrollment numbers for 2026 in spite of the enhanced tax credits expiring less than 60 hours from now...even though the actual negative impact of the expiring tax credits (along with several other administrative policy changes made by CMS this year) likely won't be known for several months after Open Enrollment officially ends in January.
Open enrollment through Washington Healthplanfinder ends, with federal actions and lapsed tax credits creating uncertainty and higher costs
Open enrollment concluded Jan. 15 with a record number of Washingtonians receiving Cascade Care Savings
OLYMPIA, Wash. – More than 290,000 Washingtonians selected a plan for 2026 health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment. Washington Health Benefit Exchange runs Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s online marketplace for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance.
Expiring enhanced premium tax credits (ePTCs) increased many people’s monthly costs. Around 40,000 fewer Washingtonians are receiving premium tax credits in 2026 than 2025. Some customers saw significant increases in their health insurance premiums, resulting in more than 61,000 customers changing their plans.
Two things are true as of today: 2026 ACA Open Enrollment has ended...and 2026 ACA Open Enrollment is still going on (in some states).
The official Open Enrollment Period is over in 43 states...but residents of the other 7 (plus DC) still have time to enroll for coverage starting either February 1st or March 1st!
Whether the data posted since January 20, 2025 is accurate or not, I can't say for certain, but at least they're updating it...and so far, at least, I don't see anything in their monthly reports which is setting off any obvious red flags.
In any event, according to the latest report, as of October 2025:
The bottom line is that Connecticut enrollees who earn between 100 - 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will have 100% of the lost federal tax credits backfilled, while enrollees who earn between 400 - 500% FPL will have half (50%) of their lost subsidies covered:
The state subsidies are currently in place for one year.
Here is a chart to show the annual income by household size for eligible groups:
BOSTON—Massachusetts residents have just days remaining to get health insurance coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector, including access to help paying for a plan through the ConnectorCare program, with the January 23 deadline looming.
Open Enrollment is the time of year when anyone who needs health insurance can get covered. The Health Connector provides access to commercial plans, and access to subsidies to help pay for those plans. While some federal funding through enhanced Premium Tax Credits has expired due to inaction by Congressional Republicans and President Trump, earlier this month, Governor Maura Healey announced an increased investment of $250 million by the state in the ConnectorCare program, making premiums more affordable for enrollees.
A few minutes ago I posted a press release from Pennie (Pennsylvania's state-based ACA exchange). The release mostly focuses on the upcoming final Open Enrollment Period deadline for February coverage in the Keystone State (January 31st), but it also includes a couple of depressing (if completely predictable) stats at the end:
Costs have risen by 102% for Pennie enrollees in 2026 due to the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits. Congress has not extended these critical savings. To date, over 70,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped coverage as a result of the higher prices – nearly 1,000 a day for most of Open Enrollment. More information can be found at pennie.com/affordability.
I did indeed visit that link, where I found the following additional details (the data provided is as of January 20th...unfortunately they don't actually list the total 2026 plan selections anywhere for some reason):
A Officials urge all Pennsylvanians without health coverage to visit pennie.com to get protected during the Open Enrollment Period.
PENNSYLVANIA – January 22, 2026 – Time is running out to enroll in health coverage through Pennie for 2026. The Open Enrollment Period will close on January 31st, marking the final opportunity for Pennsylvanians to sign up for health insurance for the year ahead. Due to federal changes causing higher health plan costs, Pennie extended the Open Enrollment deadline to January 31st ensuring Pennsylvanians have additional time to review their options and secure coverage.
Pennie, the Commonwealth’s official health insurance marketplace, is currently open at pennie.com and offers high-quality coverage options for individuals and families who do not have access to other health insurance. If you or someone you know does not currently have health coverage, this is the final time to act and visit pennie.com to explore your options to get enrolled.
Denver, Colo. – After five consecutive years of record growth, enrollment in health coverage through the state’s official health insurance marketplace for plan year 2026 dipped 2%, Connect for Health Colorado announced today.
Despite rising costs due to less federal financial assistance, 277,228 Coloradans enrolled in health insurance, with 69% of customers receiving financial help to lower the cost of their monthly premiums.
Technically, QHP selections ended up down 1.9% from last year's total of 282,481.
