How not extending ACA subsidies will affect N.C. residents

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An issue at the center of this government shutdown is extending the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans.

Open enrollment began Nov. 1, and people are seeing premiums skyrocket for 2026. 

Charlotte residents Steve Goodson and his husband, Carlos Mendez, are no exception.

“Anyone dependent on the ACA is looking at undue stress right now,” Goodson said.

In 2021, the Biden administration approved enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans, meaning people were given more money from the government for health care costs than in the past.

“To really make sure that people were able to access care that they needed, that they were able to, you know, get vaccinated for COVID and things like that. So they just wanted to make sure that everybody was healthy in the midst of this pandemic,” said Julieanne Taylor, program director of Family Support and Health Care Program for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.

These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. If they’re not extended, 157,000 North Carolinians will become uninsured and another 888,000 will see their health care premiums double, according to Gov. Josh Stein.

“With the premiums going up, we have to collectively reassess going to the doctor,” said Mendez, an ACA insurance recipient.

According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the average rate for individual ACA coverage will increase by over 28% in 2026.

As the government shutdown enters its second month, Taylor said this could have a huge impact on residents.

“It may keep people from renewing their coverage. I mean, as we know right now, prices are just very expensive. It’s expensive for food, it’s expensive for housing and so this is just one more thing,” Taylor said.

Goodson and Mendez said if their premium doubles, it won’t be easy in the long run.

“Initially we would deal with it, but I think a year from now, resources would get very limited. But it could perhaps impoverish us over a few years,” Goodson said.

On the other side of the issue, according to the Cato Institute, these subsidies cost almost half a trillion dollars and have produced enrollment fraud and many believe temporary emergencies should not justify permanent solutions.

Taylor says health insurance navigators are available across North Carolina to help, if you need assistance picking a plan or understanding the changes to ACA insurance plans. Visit here for more information.

Since being interviewed for this story, Carlos says he has signed up for healthcare through ACA Enrollment and the cost went up by 26% for 2026.

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