Connecticut's ACA Coverage Losses: Impact of Federal Subsidy Expiration
In the first half of 2026, over 22,000 individuals in Connecticut lost their Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage due to nonpayment of premiums, marking a 75% rise compared to the previous year, according to Access Health CT data. This increase follows the expiration of federal pandemic-era subsidies, which supported healthcare costs for many Americans, including approximately 143,000 residents in Connecticut.
Despite this drop in coverage, overall ACA enrollment in Connecticut showed minor variation. As of June 2026, about 151,300 individuals were participating in Access Health plans, a slight decrease from roughly 155,500 in June 2025. Authorities suggest that not every individual who discontinued their ACA plans became uninsured; some may have transitioned to employer-sponsored insurance or government programs.
A survey of 480 former Access Health enrollees revealed that 63% acquired alternative coverage, while the remainder reported being uninsured. To counteract the loss of federal subsidies, Connecticut implemented state measures. Governor Ned Lamont allocated approximately $115 million from the emergency response fund to aid the lowest-income Access Health participants.
State-Backed Subsidies to Stabilize Enrollment
Connecticut's initiative to provide state-backed subsidies places it among a select group of states, including Maryland, California, and New Mexico, which offer similar financial support. Susan Rich-Bye, overseeing legal and government affairs at Access Health CT, credited outreach initiatives and state funding for stabilizing enrollment numbers.
Despite the state-level aid, residents faced premium increases, averaging 14% for individuals and 21% for families of four. The current state subsidy was a one-time provision, with no allocated budget for continuation in the upcoming year. However, the governor has been encouraged to devise a future subsidy plan to address this issue.
House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora suggested that some businesses might have reverted to direct employee health coverage after the federal subsidies ended. While he supported the emergency response fund, Candelora expressed concern over reliance on state funding rather than finding more sustainable solutions to federal policy changes.
As stakeholders in the insurance industry observe these developments, the focus remains on policy adaptations necessary to manage the changing subsidy landscape while ensuring access to affordable healthcare coverage for Connecticut's residents.