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Eleven states add ACA premium aid for 2027 after federal credits lapsed
CNBC reports at least 11 states will offer extra premium help for 2027 Affordable Care Act marketplace plans after enhanced federal subsidies expired at the end of 2025.
- New headline Was: “These states are offering extra ACA premium subsidies in 2027”
- Our desk filed its story
At least 11 states are offering extra money to lower monthly premiums for some people who buy Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage for 2027, CNBC reported Monday, after enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 20251.
The states named are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington1. CNBC said they run state-based marketplaces rather than HealthCare.gov and that qualifying enrollees should see the aid when they sign up during open enrollment1.
Most of the programs continue policies put in place for 2026, CNBC reported, while Rhode Island and Virginia are starting theirs for 2027 and California expanded who can get help1. The state money is in addition to remaining federal premium tax credits, which were not ended when the enhanced credits lapsed1.
CNBC, citing KFF, said average monthly ACA premiums rose 58%, to $178 in 2026 from $113 the year before, after the enhanced credits ended1. HHS figures cited by CNBC put marketplace enrollment at 19.2 million as of February 2026, down 13% from 22.1 million a year earlier, with KFF later reporting a further drop1.
New Mexico is the only state fully replacing the enhanced federal subsidies for 2027, extending a 2026 policy, according to health policy experts cited by CNBC, and was the only state with enrollment growth in 2026, up 14%, according to KFF figures in the report1.
California increased Covered California State Subsidy Program funding to $300 million in 2027 from $190 million in 2026 and raised the income cap to 200% of the federal poverty level from 165%, covering an additional 200,000 people, Covered California said, according to CNBC1. Massachusetts raised its investment to $620 million from $600 million, which state officials called the largest such state outlay1.
In Washington, CNBC reported, enrollees at or below 200% of poverty who receive a federal subsidy can get up to $35 a month in state aid, and those between 201% and 250% can get up to $201. Eligibility and amounts otherwise vary by state, with many programs aimed at lower-income buyers1.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a September release quoted by CNBC that the state was acting after Congress did not extend the enhanced credits1. Louise Norris of healthinsurance.org and KFF researcher Justin Lo told CNBC the aid can matter for people who qualify and that 2026 enrollment declines were smaller in states that offered help; Norris said future funding depends on state budgets1.
