Subsidy Rollback Could Push Californians Out Of Vital Coverage

If Congress does not renew federal health subsidies by year’s end, an alarming 400,000 Californians — including 15% from the Black community — may find themselves without health coverage, leading many to either forsake insurance or face soaring premiums.These subsidies, formally known as enhanced premium tax credits, were implemented during the pandemic to enhance affordability for countless Americans lacking employer-sponsored coverage. Absent congressional intervention, the average enrollee with Covered California might see their premiums increase by nearly 97%.On November 7, Oak Park residents convened at Classy Hippie Tea Co. for a discussion about this impending financial burden. Hosted by Covered California and community partners, it provided valuable insights from health officials regarding open enrollment and the critical equity issues linked to healthcare accessibility.Jessica Altman, Covered California's executive director, emphasized the Affordable Care Act’s role in extending coverage, warning that failure to extend the subsidies could severely affect numerous families, further widening the gap in health equity.