Tariffs, inflation, and other federal policies have battered U.S. farmers' bottom lines. Now many farmers say the expiration of federal health care subsidies will make their coverage unaffordable.

They said that some of the premium increases are due to an increase in hospital outpatient visits and coverage of GLP-1 drugs. But that’s only part. The real jump comes from health care system consolidations — mergers and acquisitions — and the trend for hospitals to jack up prices “well above their costs.”

Private health insurance premiums will be going up in 2026 – in some cases, by a lot. Congressional Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked on health care reform, following disagreements over America’s health insurance marketplace that contributed to November’s government shutdown.

Covered California warns that some people may be at risk of dropping their health insurance. It all comes as the deadline to enroll nears.