Florida Families Face Soaring Health Insurance Costs as ACA Subsidies Expire

Enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that helped millions of Floridians afford health insurance expired at the end of 2025. While the U.S. House passed a three-year extension, the bill awaits Senate approval and President Trump’s signature. Without these subsidies, many Florida families are experiencing significant increases in their monthly health insurance premiums, with Florida being the state most impacted due to its high ACA enrollment rate.

The Impact on Floridians

The expiration of subsidies could be reversed with President Trump’s signature before the end of the current congressional term, January 3, 2027, potentially restoring benefits retroactively to January 1, 2026. However, as of February 20, 2026, the future of these subsidies remains uncertain.

Steve Reyes, a Hollywood airplane parts distributor, exemplifies the financial strain many Floridians are facing. His family’s health insurance premiums have increased from $982 per month in 2025 to $3,430 in 2026, a 250% increase . This translates to an additional $2,500 in monthly expenses compared to last year, and a total of $41,000 in health insurance payments for the year, not including a $10,000 deductible.

Florida: Ground Zero for ACA Changes

Florida has the highest percentage of residents enrolled in the ACA, making it particularly vulnerable to the subsidy expiration. This is attributed to the state’s large number of small businesses, its gig economy, and a significant population of younger retirees who have not yet qualified for Medicare .

Approximately 200,000 fewer Floridians are enrolled in ACA plans for 2026 compared to the previous year . Experts anticipate further enrollment declines as more individuals realize they can no longer afford the increased premiums.

Political Response and Potential Solutions

U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Miami) voted in favor of extending the ACA subsidies, recognizing the importance of assistance for families in her district, which has one of the highest ACA enrollment rates in the nation . She stated on X (formerly Twitter), “I voted YES to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, and I didn’t hesitate.”

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has called on the Senate and President Trump to act swiftly and extend the subsidies .

President Trump has unveiled “The Great Healthcare Plan,” which proposes direct payments into health savings accounts, but no formal bill has been introduced .

Eligibility and Income Limits

Anyone can qualify for insurance through the ACA’s online platform, Healthcare.gov, whereas the open enrollment period for 2026 has passed. Sign-ups are now limited to those experiencing qualifying events, such as losing insurance, getting married, having a baby, or moving.

Subsidies are available to families making up to 400% of the federal poverty limit, which is $132,000 for a family of four. Families earning over $135,000, like the Reyes family, are no longer eligible for the enhanced subsidies.

Looking Ahead

The future of ACA subsidies in Florida remains uncertain. The expiration of these subsidies is projected to increase the number of uninsured Americans, while extending them would add $350 billion to the national debt over the next decade . As the debate continues, Florida families are left to navigate a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.