Three million Americans left Obamacare plans after subsidies expired. Insurers want about 15% more for 2027. Both parties owe them a plan.

Reuters reports that 3 million Americans dropped out of the Affordable Care Act marketplace this year after premiums and deductibles jumped when enhanced COVID-era tax credits expired at the start of 2026. The plans still covered 19.2 million people as of February. Many who left moved to skimpy short-term plans, joined health-sharing programs that typically don't provide consumer protections, or went without coverage. Stacy Cox, a 49-year-old self-employed photographer in Kanab, Utah, who is at high risk for breast cancer, is weighing a $1,200 mammogram against keeping her business alive. "What do we do if one of us gets sick?" she asked. Ryan Shapiro, 56, of Frederick, Maryland, saw his premium set to more than double to over $1,000 a month, so he bought a short-term plan for roughly $600. "It's half the cost of full-blown health insurance," he said. Several people told Reuters they've put off checkups and screenings, and hospital operators say uninsured patients are raising their costs. A CMS spokesperson called short-term plans, meant to fill temporary gaps, one of several options. Next year looks worse: insurers have proposed a median increase of about 15% for 2027, according to KFF, a second straight year of double-digit hikes. Open enrollment runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. I'm a lifelong Democrat, and I won't pretend my party has this solved. Neither does the other one. My test for every candidate this fall: tell me in dollars what a self-employed 49-year-old in Utah will pay next year under your plan.