Congresswoman urges action as Alabamians face higher health care costs and potential loss of coverage
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment period began on November 1, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) warned of the serious consequences that rising premiums could have on working families if Congress fails to act.
More than 450,000 Alabamians are expected to enroll in health coverage this season. But many may soon pay double for insurance as enhanced ACA premium tax credits expire.
“For so many Alabama families, the consequences of the Republican health care crisis just became real,” Sewell said. “While billionaires celebrate huge new tax breaks from Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, hundreds of thousands of hard-working Alabamians are wondering how they will pay double for their health insurance premiums next year.”
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the loss of enhanced credits could raise premiums by $25,649for a 60-year-old couple earning $85,000, $12,122 for a family of four earning $130,000, and $3,305 for a 45-year-old individual earning $64,000.
“Make no mistake—We are standing on the edge of a cliff,” Sewell warned. “If Republicans fail to act quickly, thousands of Alabama families will lose coverage altogether.”
The ACA in Alabama
While the ACA expanded coverage nationwide, Alabama remains one of ten states that have not expanded Medicaid, leaving thousands of working adults without affordable options. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports about 107,000 uninsured Alabamians fall into a “coverage gap” — earning too much for Medicaid but too little for ACA subsidies (KFF, 2025).
The state’s uninsured rate stands at 8.4 percent, among the nation’s highest (CBPP, 2024). Many affected residents live in rural and majority-Black counties across the Black Belt, where hospital closures have reduced access to care. The University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center warns that without expansion, rural hospitals will remain underfunded and families will continue to rely on emergency rooms for basic health needs (UA EdPolicy Center, 2025).
Call for Cooperation
Sewell urged bipartisan action to lower costs and protect coverage.
“It does not have to be this way,” she said. “Democrats are ready to work with Republicans on a bill to bring down these out-of-control costs and reopen the government.”
How to Enroll
Open enrollment runs through January 15, 2026. To start coverage January 1, enroll by December 15.
•Visit HealthCare.gov
•Call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325) for free help
•Find local assistance at localhelp.healthcare.gov
•Explore Alabama Medicaid and ALL Kids for children’s coverage
Nearly all Alabama marketplace enrollees qualify for premium tax credits that cut monthly costs significantly (HealthInsurance.org, 2025).
“Health care should not be a privilege for the wealthy,” Sewell said. “Every Alabamian deserves access to affordable, quality care.”