WA braces for coverage loss without ACA subsidies

By the numbers: Kuderer's office this week approved an average premium rate increase of 21% next year for health care plans bought on the state exchange, the public insurance marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act.

• Insurers pointed to the pending expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits as a key driver of the rate increases, Kuderer said.

What they're saying: "What will happen is those who are younger and healthier will self-select out," Kuderer told Axios.

• "They'll drop their coverage, which means we're going to have a sicker pool that's being insured," driving up the cost of coverage, she said.

Context: Next year's planned rate increases on Washington's health care exchange are nearly twice as high as the 2025 hikes, and far higher than the 8.9% increase approved for 2024.

• U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Medina) estimated that with the expected loss of subsidies, Washingtonians on the state exchange are on track to spend an average of $1,300 more on premiums per year.
• "That's an enormous jump that will make coverage unaffordable," said DelBene, who was joined Friday by Gov. Bob Ferguson, U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Sammamish) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries at a press event in Bellevue.

The big picture: Some Democrats are pushing to extend the enhanced insurance subsidies this month as part of a deal to continue funding the federal government past Sept. 30.

• Yes, but: It's unclear whether Democratic senators are willing to withhold their votes for a government spending bill over the issue, risking a government shutdown.

What we're watching: Kuderer said that if Congress votes to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, there's still time to lower next year's rates — but the vote would have to happen by the end of the month.