NEW YORK (AP) — Nationwide enrollment in the Affordable Care Act marketplace could drop by nearly 5 million people this year. That’s according to a new analysis from the healthcare research nonprofit KFF published Tuesday. The report found that ACA program enrollment could shrink by more than 20% and that those who remain covered are paying more, with average deductibles growing by over $1,000. The drop-off is partly due to the expiration of COVID-era subsidies on Jan. 1, which forced Americans to make tough decisions about their coverage. Middle-income Americans are dropping coverage more than other groups. One of the report’s authors does suggest one silver lining: Insurers may have already planned for these changes, potentially stabilizing future costs.
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