Obamacare insurers ask for second-highest premiums increase in nearly a decade

Insurers are seeking a median 14% increase in Obamacare premiums for 2027 — the second-largest jump since 2018.
Enrollment fell after extra COVID-era subsidies ended (now about 19.2 million), with healthier people dropping plans and leaving a sicker pool driving costs up.
Carriers point to higher medical needs, inflation, rising drug prices and provider consolidation — premiums rose ~58% in 2026 and are on track to be ~33% higher across 2025–27.