Florida at Risk of Devastating Health Care Crisis as Obamacare Tax Credits Expire

Strategic Insights -

Florida leads the nation in the number of people who purchase insurance through the federal exchange (healthcare.gov), established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with 4.7 million residents having an Obamacare plan in 2025. A whopping 4.6 million of those residents receive the tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. If they do, millions of Floridians will face double, triple, or quadruple price hikes in their health insurance premiums, with families being forced to drop coverage and chronic diseases going undiagnosed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Florida has the highest number of people purchasing insurance through the federal exchange, with 4.7 million residents having an Obamacare plan in 2025.
  • 4.6 million of those residents receive the tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year.
  • If the tax credits expire, millions of Floridians will face double, triple, or quadruple price hikes in their health insurance premiums.
  • The expiration of the tax credits will disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities.
  • U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Darren Soto, and Maxwell Frost are pushing for the extension of the tax credits, citing the devastating consequences of their expiration.
  • The Florida Hospital Association, the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, and the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have all come out in support of continuing the enhanced premium tax credits.
  • State political leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski, have been criticized for not warning state residents about the impending increases.

Statistics:

  • 4.7 million Floridians have an Obamacare plan in 2025.
  • 4.6 million of those residents receive the tax credits to lower the costs of their health insurance coverage.
  • If the tax credits expire, millions of Floridians will face double, triple, or quadruple price hikes in their health insurance premiums.
  • Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas have lower average monthly premiums among states with lower Obamacare enrollment.
  • The Obamacare enrollment for 2026 is set to begin next month.
  • A statewide average 34% increase in premiums is expected to take effect Jan. 1.
  • 95% of Obamacare enrollees live in a county with at least four carriers.

Sources:

  • U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  • U.S. Rep. Darren Soto
  • U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost
  • Florida Hospital Association
  • Florida Association of Community Health Centers
  • Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • States Newsroom