Ohio has seen the largest decline in Obamacare enrollment in the country, with a 32.4% drop in the number of people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since the expiration of federal subsidies in January. The state’s ACA rolls decreased from 497,443 people to 336,058 people from February 2025 to February 2026.

Subsidy Expiration Leads to Enrollment Decline

The expiration of federal subsidies has led to a significant increase in out-of-pocket premiums for ACA plans, making them unaffordable for many individuals. According to KFF, a healthcare research firm, the subsidy change caused a 58% average increase in out-of-pocket premiums for ACA plans in 2026, along with deductibles of about $1,000 more per person.

Healthcare policy analysts and insurance providers have expressed concerns that the end of the subsidies would result in a large number of people dropping their health care coverage. Ohio Association of Health Plans CEO Kelly O’Reilly stated that the organization had advocated for the extension of the subsidies, fearing that many enrollees would drop their coverage due to unaffordability.

Impact on Ohioans

The decline in ACA enrollment may lead to a smaller insurance pool and more uninsured patients seeking emergency care, ultimately resulting in higher health insurance costs for all Ohioans. Brian O’Rourke, a healthcare policy analyst for the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, noted that the average premium in Ohio increased from $126 to $233 per month, making it difficult for individuals to afford health care coverage.

Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.