By Sydney Babb, WOWT
(November 9, 2026)
Open enrollment is underway for Americans who depend on the Affordable Care Act, and an Omaha couple said the cost of their health insurance has risen since ACA subsidies expired last December.
Audrey Horn and her husband are retired and buy a Medica bronze plan through the ACA. A year of health insurance at the Horns’ Omaha home includes medical bills, prescription statements and monthly letters from Medica.
Cost of the plan
Horn said the cost of the plan has increased.
“In 2024, it was $1,700 for a Medica bronze plan, and in 2027 it’s $2,700 a month. It went up $1,000 in four years,” Horn said.
Horn said the cost is more than a mortgage payment.
“It’s like more than a mortgage. I mean, that would be someone’s more than a mortgage expense just to have healthcare, and that’s not even, you know, going to the doctor, your prescription drugs — that is … that should make every American angry,” Horn said.
Congress and new members
Whether help is coming will come down to lawmakers in Washington. Monday is the first day of new member orientation at the U.S. Capitol. Congresswoman-elect Denise Powell, D-Nebraska, is there for the next 10 days.
Powell spoke to reporters last Wednesday.
“One of the first things I’m hoping we can accomplish in Congress is reversing these Medicaid cuts, reversing the cuts to the ACA subsidies, starting to stabilize the system, and then hopeful building from there,” Powell said.
The Associated Press reports House Democrats plan early votes to restore the enhanced subsidies and boost Medicaid once Congress is sworn in Jan. 3.
Some Republicans argue the chamber should focus on lowering costs for the broader population rather than just those who rely on the ACA and Medicaid.
Obstacles to reversing Medicaid cuts
The Associated Press says the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and a possible veto from President Donald Trump could stand in the way of reversing any Medicaid cuts.
WHAT’s NEXT FOR THE HORNS
Audrey Horn is researching 2027 plans and waiting to see if the newly elected officials will bring change for her family.
“If there are certain things that they can do. If we have money to spend on a way, if we have money to spend on tax breaks for corporations and billionaires, I think we have money to make sure people have access to food and health care,” Horn said.
