Georgia residents who buy their own health insurance through the state’s government marketplace, Georgia Access, are likely to see significant rate increases next year. Health-care advocates say that recent filings from insurance companies cite federal budget cuts and the expiration of COVID-19 tax credits as primary reasons for the expected hikes.
“These are individual workers and working families who simply don’t get coverage on the job or through public programs like Medicaid or Medicare,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA.
According to Wright, the changes will affect a wide range of workers, including those in retail and restaurants, ride-hail and food-delivery drivers, beauticians, barbers, plumbers, and other self-employed individuals.
Estimates vary on how many people could lose coverage due to these changes. The group KFF projects that as many as half a million Georgians may be affected. Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF) offers a lower estimate of 340,000 losing coverage and anticipates an average rate increase of 75%. GHF attributes its figure to the expiration of tax credits alone, while KFF’s higher number also includes effects from budget cuts.
“If costs soar and coverage slips away, the consequences will ripple through every part of our state at almost every income level,” said Whitney Griggs, health policy director for GHF.
Georgia also provides Pathways to Coverage for residents closer to the poverty line. The state’s Office of Insurance has not clarified official numbers yet. Enrollment for 2026 plans is expected to begin around November.
