Trump’s Sabotage of the ACA Is Costing Americans More Than Ever

As Americans brace for the steepest rise in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums since 2018, it’s important to remember who’s driving these costs: Donald Trump and his destructive health care policies.

A new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis shows insurers are proposing average premium hikes of 15% - with more than a quarter of insurers proposing increases of 20% or more. Health care inflation plays a role. But a significant share of the increase stems from the Trump administration’s harmful decisions: imposing tariffs that is driving up the cost of medical equipment and supplies, and consistently undermining the ACA when repeal efforts failed in 2017.

Even now, Trump and GOP lawmakers are refusing to extend the enhanced ACA subsidies introduced under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan driving up out-of-pocket costs by over 75% on average. These subsidies helped millions afford coverage — slashing monthly premiums and driving ACA enrollment to a record 24 million. With their expiration looming, insurers expect healthier people to drop coverage, triggering a further spike in premiums for those who remain.

Trump didn’t just fail to improve the ACA — he actively sabotaged it. From slashing outreach budgets to supporting junk insurance plans and refusing to stabilize the market, Trump’s legacy is higher costs, fewer protections, and growing uncertainty for families who rely on the ACA.

As insurers finalize 2026 rates, Americans deserve a government that strengthens health care access — not one that plays politics with their premiums. We can’t afford another term of Trump’s recklessness.

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