TL/DR –
The Affordable Care Act’s Vermont Health Connect is seeing an increase in health insurance premiums, resulting in financial stress for many Vermonters. This increase has been caused by the discontinuation of pandemic-era health insurance subsidies by the Republicans in Congress and President Trump, despite warnings from Democrats. As a result, middle-income individuals are facing additional premiums of up to $10,000 per year, leading some to consider cancelling their health insurance coverage.
A Health Care Crisis in Vermont: Rising Premiums and Lost Insurance
The health care crisis has hit. Many of the 30,000 Vermonters reliant on Vermont Health Connect, a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare, are dealing with a sudden increase in their health insurance premiums. On average, premiums on Vermont Health Connect are predicted to double, marking the highest rate increase in the country.
Consequences of Inaction
Democrats have long warned of this impending disaster if pandemic-era health insurance subsidies were not extended. Despite their warnings and a 43-day government shutdown, Republicans and President Trump did not extend subsidies. Now, the fallout of that inaction has begun.
Vermont residents are now forced to make difficult decisions. Middle-income participants could face additional premiums of $10,000 per year for individuals and $32,000 for a family of four. Some are considering going without insurance altogether.
A Personal Dilemma: The Story of Arica Bronz
Arica Bronz, a pilates instructor from Winooski, is one of those faced with a tough choice. With a monthly family premium that will rise from $1,100 to $2,700 in 2026 and a $15,000 annual deductible, she is considering canceling her family’s healthcare coverage. “We can’t take out a second mortgage on our house to afford one year of health insurance,” she said.
Implications for Vermont’s Health Care System
If a significant number of people drop health care coverage, Vermont’s struggling health care financing system could enter a death spiral. “I have a tremendous fear that what we are watching before us is the undoing, the dismantling of our healthcare financing system,” said Michael Fisher, Vermont’s chief health care advocate.
Despite the challenges, Fisher suggests those with an income within 400% of the federal poverty level (around $130,000 for a family of four) may still qualify for subsidized health care premiums.
Arica Bronz is contemplating a future without health insurance. “We don’t have a safety net. Hopefully that will inspire us to just be really thoughtful and careful. … It’s kinda terrifying,” she concluded.
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