“We are a matter of days away from yet another form of sticker shock. This time, it is our health insurance premiums that are going up. Nebraska’s federal delegation voted against extending ACA tax credits, and they expired for 2026 policies. Now, hardworking Nebraskans will once again be paying more just to ensure they can get the care they need.
“Times are tough across the board as employer-provided health insurance plans are also set for a big increase in 2027. At the same time, the state is beginning to drop people from the Medicaid rolls. No matter where you look, it feels like the news is not good, and it can largely be attributed to federal policy decisions.
“In the first two months after the tax credits expired, Nebraska’s Affordable Care Act enrollment dropped by about 20%. With costs going up even more next year, we can expect that figure to continue falling. People are going without vital care because they can no longer afford it.”
-State Director Angie Lauritsen
“In just two years, my bronze health insurance plan has gone up by 56%! It was hard enough paying almost $700 more per month this year. Now, I get to add nearly $300 on top of that. My husband and I are nowhere near bringing in that much more per month in the last two years, which means we will simply have to eat the cost so we can protect ourselves.
“These continued increases are just not sustainable, and I am horrified when I think of the number of people who are deciding to go without coverage because they simply can’t pay those higher monthly costs. Something has to give!”
-Audrey, Omaha
