U.S. Health Insurance Premiums Rise as Tax Credits Decline, Impacting Rural Markets
Recent analyses indicate that private health insurance marketplace premiums in the U.S. are expected to rise significantly, with proposed hikes reaching a median increase of 18% in 2025. Concurrently, health care tax credits, which help reduce premium costs, are set to decline sharply by January 2026, doubling out-of-pocket premium expenses for many consumers in HealthCare.gov states. This combination of rising premiums and decreasing subsidies is forecasted to notably impact rural populations more than urban counterparts due to their distinct market dynamics and reliance on marketplace coverage.