Health Insurance Losses in Connecticut: A Snapshot

Connecticut saw a sharp rise in people losing Affordable Care Act coverage during the first half of 2026, with more than 22,000 enrollees dropping out after missing premium payments. This jump represents a 75 percent increase compared with the same period last year, according to Access Health CT data. The spike comes after federal COVID‑era subsidies that had helped about 143,000 residents afford plans ended on December 31.

Despite the higher churn rate, total enrollment in ACA plans stayed roughly flat. By June 2026, about 151,300 residents were on Access Health plans, down only 4,200 from the previous year’s figure of roughly 155,500. Many people who left their ACA plans found other coverage—either through employers or government programs—and 63 percent of a survey sample reported having some other insurance.

The federal subsidy cuts stemmed from the failure to extend enhanced premium tax credits that had been in place during the pandemic. These credits capped benchmark plan costs at 8.5 percent of household income for those earning up to four times the poverty line. When they lapsed, costs for single adults rose 14 percent and for families of four up 21 percent on average.

State leaders responded by allocating about $115 million from an emergency fund to cushion the impact for low‑income enrollees. Connecticut was among a handful of states—including Maryland, California and New Mexico—that offered temporary state subsidies to replace the lost federal aid. The emergency fund drew on $500 million in state reserves, a measure that helped keep overall enrollment from falling further.

Political reaction has been mixed. Some lawmakers accuse the federal government of sabotaging affordable health care, while others argue that state funds alone cannot solve the problem. Critics suggest that more sustainable reforms are needed rather than one‑time financial injections.

Looking ahead, the state budget does not yet earmark money for new subsidies. A plan to restore support is expected in 2027, but no funds have been set aside yet. Whether the state can secure long‑term assistance for its residents remains an open question.