Florida, Hard-Hit by ACA Drop-Off, Feels the Squeeze of Rising Healthcare Costs

In June, Florida chef Elijah Button faced a severe kitchen accident when his knife sliced his middle finger to the bone. Struggling to afford emergency care after dropping his Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plan in January due to a $100 monthly premium hike, Button opted for self-treatment. Republicans in Congress let enhanced federal subsidies for ACA health plans expire in January, leaving millions of Americans, including Button, to choose between retaining expensive insurance or forgoing coverage.

Months later, without congressional action, they face the consequences, with some grappling with strained budgets and exorbitant medical bills, while others avoid doctors due to cost concerns. Florida, home to many gig workers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who heavily rely on the federal health insurance marketplace, has become a visible epicenter of this impact.

About 440,000 Floridians dropped their ACA plans this year, more than any other state, and thousands of others who kept their coverage are struggling to make ends meet. Despite Florida's struggles being reflective of broader nationwide concerns over rising healthcare costs and a lack of meaningful policy to address them, its Republican-led legislature never expanded Medicaid, contributing to its large ACA enrollment.