Did ACA subsidies expire?

The larger 'enhanced' premium tax credits expired on December 31, 2025. The original, smaller ACA subsidies still exist for 2026, but the 400%-of-poverty income cliff is back.

Did Congress extend the enhanced ACA subsidies for 2026?

Not yet. The U.S. House passed a three-year extension on January 8, 2026 (230-196). As of June 2026 the Senate has not voted, and there is no set timeline. Until a bill passes both chambers and is signed, the enhanced subsidies stay expired.

Will Marketplace premiums go up in 2026?

For many people, yes. Ending the enhanced credits is estimated to raise Marketplace premium payments by about 114% on average, roughly $1,016 more per year for a typical enrollee.

What should I plan for right now?

Plan on current law: the original subsidy scale and the 400% cliff. If Congress restores the enhanced credits later, your costs could fall - treat that as a possible good surprise, not something to count on.

Will ACA subsidies be extended in 2026?

Last checked June 7, 2026. We update this page when the status changes — see the date above.

Short answer: the bigger "enhanced" ACA subsidies expired on December 31, 2025. In January 2026 the House voted to bring them back for three years, but the Senate has not passed it. So for 2026 right now, the original (smaller) subsidies apply and the 400% income cliff is back. CobraCalc uses current law. We will update this page if the Senate acts.

What expired

The "enhanced" premium tax credits came from the 2021 American Rescue Plan and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. They did two big things: they capped premiums at 8.5% of income for everyone, and they removed the 400%-of-poverty subsidy cliff. Both ended on December 31, 2025. For 2026, the rules revert to the original sliding scale, and the 400% cliff (about $62,600 for one person) is back.

What's happening in Congress (as of June 2026)

House: On January 8, 2026, the House passed a three-year extension, 230–196, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats.
Senate: Has not voted, with no announced timeline. Senators are negotiating alternatives — a shorter (two-year) extension, income caps, a minimum premium contribution, revived cost-sharing payments, and larger health savings accounts.
Bottom line: nothing is law yet. Until a bill clears the Senate and is signed, the enhanced subsidies stay expired.

What it means for you

Higher premiums. Ending the enhanced credits is estimated to raise Marketplace premium payments by about 114% on average — roughly $1,016 more a year for a typical enrollee.
The cliff is back. Earn one dollar over 400% of poverty (about $62,600 for a single person in 2026) and you lose all subsidy. See the 2026 subsidy cliff explained.
Plan on current law. Build your 2026 budget on the rules as they are now. If an extension passes, your costs could drop — treat that as a possible good surprise, not something to count on.

What CobraCalc assumes

CobraCalc uses current law: the original post-2025 subsidy scale and the 400% cliff. If Congress restores the enhanced credits, we update the calculator and this page together. See our sources & methodology and editorial standards for how and when we update.

Sources

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This page tracks public legislation and is an educational summary, not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Confirm current rules at HealthCare.gov or with a licensed professional. See the disclaimer.