Originally published on 1/28/26

As Congress continues to discuss questions over funding of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which help Americans pay for their monthly health insurance premiums, states have begun taking matters into their own hands. Over the past couple of weeks, six states have announced that they will heavily fund their own subsidies to give Americans access to more affordable and easy-to-access health insurance. To learn more about this healthcare shift, including how to enroll, keep reading. 

What to know about state Affordable Care Act subsidies

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts and New Mexico have all announced that their residents will soon have access to a new kind of ACA subsidy that will help their residents enjoy more affordable insurance premium costs. Each state’s program is different, so coverage options and costs will vary depending on where Americans live. 

“They soften the blow,” Louise Norris, a health policy analyst for insurance referral site healthinsurance.org, told CNBC of the state-level premium subsidies.

This move comes after months of turmoil surrounding the subsidies, which expired at the end of 2025. The House of Representatives recently voted to overturn this change, but now the Senate must decide what to do next. If they can’t, the country could face another government shutdown come February 1. 

“There’s about a dozen members in the conference that are in these swing districts who are fighting hard to make sure they reduce costs for all of their constituents. And many of them did want to vote on this Obamacare COVID-era subsidy that Democrats created,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters in December.

“We looked for a way to try to allow for that pressure-release valve, and it just was not to be. We worked on it all the way through the weekend, in fact. And in the end there was not an agreement—it wasn’t made,” he continued. 

How to enroll in your state’s Affordable Care Act subsidies

Residents of  California looking to enroll in the state’s $190 million state subsidies program can visit Covered California’s website to see what plans are available and investigate how much money they will be expected to spend on healthcare. 

“Some families get $1,000 a month in savings, even those making up to $154,500 a year,” the website says. “Even an individual earning close to $75,000 could qualify for financial help.” 

For Colorado residents, the state is now offering an $80 monthly discount on insurance for an individual under their Colorado Premium Assistance plan. They are also giving out $29 for each family member who pays a health insurance premium in an effort to help cover the costs. To learn more about this program and enroll, visit Connect for Health Colorado’s website. 

Connecticut is planning to give individuals with income between 100 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is currently $15,650 for individuals and $32,150 for a family of four,  a new state subsidy that will help replace the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts. It’s part of their new Special Enrollment Period, and to enroll all one must do is visit the Access Health Connecticut website. 

“We are thankful Governor [Ned] Lamont and our state legislature stepped in to help some of our most vulnerable populations afford health coverage,” Access Health Connecticut Chief Executive Officer James Michel said in a statement. “This Special Enrollment Period gives our customers more time to weigh their options and enroll in the coverage they need to live long, healthy lives.”

In Maryland, the government is planning to replace the enhanced federal premium subsidies for people with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or up to $62,600 for an individual and $128,600 for a family of four. To learn more about this program and enroll in it, visit the Maryland Health Connection website. 

Massachusetts is planning on investing $250 million into their state health insurance marketplace, called ConnectorCare, which will help people making less than 400 percent of the poverty line (that’s less than $62,600 for an individual and under $128,600 for a family of four) pay for their health insurance. To learn more, visit the ConnectorCare website. 

“Massachusetts families cannot afford President Trump’s drastic increases to their health insurance premiums. While President Trump continues to increase health care costs, we are taking the strongest action in the nation to address them and keep costs as low as possible for families,” Governor Maura Healey said in a statement.

Finally, New Mexico has launched their new Health Care Affordability Fund, which will help shield residents from the increased premium costs. To enroll, visit BeWell, New Mexico’s Health Insurance Marketplace. 

“We created the Health Care Affordability Fund for moments like this—when Washington fails to protect working families and the most vulnerable among us,” New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/healthcare/6-states-launch-affordable-care-act-subsidies-after-federal-program-expires