New Jerseyans shopping for health insurance during this open enrollment are getting a rude awakening: Premiums are set to more than double for many families. And in just a few weeks — on Jan. 31, 2026 — open enrollment will close, locking in higher costs for the year ahead.
At New Jersey Citizen Action, we help residents enroll in coverage every day. This year, enrollments are already down nearly 7% after only the first month of open enrollment. The reason is simple: sticker shock. Families who were promised affordable care are instead being priced out.
This crisis did not happen by accident. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans campaigned on lowering costs for working families. But their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits — relied on by more than 500,000 New Jerseyans and roughly 24 million Americans — has done the opposite. Premiums are rising. Coverage options are shrinking. And millions are being pushed closer to becoming uninsured.
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