On October 1, Georgians who purchase their health care on Georgia Access – the state-based online health care marketplace – were able to log on and see the new cost of their health care premiums for 2026
To the surprise of many, most of the health care plans offered for 2026 have more than doubled their premiums thanks to health care cuts allowed by Washington Republicans
Senator Reverend Warnock has made clear that protecting health care for the 1.2 million Georgians at risk of losing coverage due to the legislation is his highest priority during budget negotiations to reopen the government
Senator Warnock: “I cannot, in good conscience, support a budget that will allow health insurance premiums to double for more than 1.2 million Georgians”
Anthem Bronze plan with same deductible, same co-pay, but 2025 premiums vs 2026 premiums for someone making $65k a year
Note: A provision in One Big Beautiful Bill Act now requires all Bronze plans to include HSA eligibility starting in 2026
Washington, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) highlighted shocking news from constituents showing the cost differences for health insurance options between 2025 and 2026, in some cases the difference is almost $20,000 a year more. Most of the health care plans offered for 2026 have more than doubled thanks to health care cuts in Washington Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law in July and provided massive tax breaks for billionaires.
On October 1, Georgians who purchase their health care through the state-based online health care marketplace, Georgia Access, were, for the first time, able to see the new cost of their health care premiums for 2026.
“I cannot, in good conscience, support a budget that will allow health insurance premiums to double for more than 1.2 million Georgians. D.C. Republicans control Congress. They decide if the government stays open,” said Senator Warnock. “If they want my vote on their budget, they need to put forward a bill that funds health care.”
Lowest cost insurance options for a small business owner and family of 4 in Chatham County (2025 vs 2026)
Senator Reverend Warnock has long made it clear that protecting health care for the 1.2 million Georgians at risk of losing coverage due to the legislation is his highest priority during budget negotiations to reopen the government.
Due to health care cuts allowed in President Trump and Washington Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July, ACA health insurance tax credits will expire for Plan Year 2026 unless extended by Congress. The expiring ACA credits will increase insurance premiums for ACA customers across the country, and millions are expected to drop their ACA insurance because of higher premiums. As a result, Georgia faces some of the steepest cuts to its health care sector in the country at $3.7 billion. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Urban Institute report, national health care losses are projected to be roughly $32 billion.
Georgia hospitals are bracing for these draconian cuts: in August, Senator Warnock visited Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton, Georgia to discuss the risks to rural health care access following steep cuts to health care in the recently passed GOP tax law. Evans Memorial Hospital, a lifeline for rural Georgians, will be forced to cut $3.3 million annually to break even due to the GOP tax bill, which will kick as many as 750,000 Georgians off their health care. When rural hospitals have to provide care to people without insurance who cannot afford their medical bills, it makes it more likely that hospitals will be forced to cut services or close their doors. The GOP tax bill’s health care cuts could mean Evans Memorial will have to scale back intensive care unit (ICU) or cardio-pulmonary rehab services. Recently, Evans Memorial Hospital had to shutter its labor and delivery unit because it was no longer financially viable.
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