Pennie coverage drops amid rising health care premiums
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Pennsylvania's Affordable Care Act marketplace has seen health insurance cancellations skyrocket so far this year.
The big picture: Spiking insurance premiums, driven in part by recently expired federal subsidies, are pushing enrollment down, as higher costs for energy, gas and food strain household budgets.
State of play: Roughly 45,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped coverage through Pennie between the close of open enrollment on Jan. 31 and April 9.
- That's a nearly 50% jump in cancellations, compared to the same time in 2025, per Pennie.
- It comes after 85,000 people across the state nixed their coverage during the open enrollment period from November through January.
Zoom in: In Philadelphia proper, premiums rose an average of $137 per month (up 116%) over last year, according to Pennie.
- In the 'burbs, premiums increased $126-$144 per month on average.
Zoom out: This is not just a Pennsylvania problem.
- About 1 in 10 Americans enrolled in an ACA plan last year now lack health coverage, per surveys by research nonprofit KFF.
Between the lines: Pennsylvania also saw a steep rise (30%) in people enrolling in bronze plans, which have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, this year.
- More uninsured and underinsured Pennsylvanians could lead to higher uncompensated care costs for hospitals.
The intrigue: Pressure is mounting on Pennsylvania lawmakers to replace at least part of the lost subsidies.
What they're saying: "We're very concerned those people will be at risk of medical debt if they have an emergency situation or if they get diagnosed with cancer or another health condition," Joanna Rosenhein, director of campaigns at the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, told WHYY.
What we're watching: More big spikes in health care costs could be coming.
- The Trump administration's latest budget proposes deeper cuts to federal health spending, reducing the Department of Health and Human Services by more than 12% ($15.8 billion) and scaling back assistance programs.