Hospitals Report 20% Jump in Uninsured Patients as Obamacare Enrollment Falls 3 Million
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 30
Hospitals Report 20% Jump in Uninsured Patients as Obamacare Enrollment Falls 3 Million
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 30
Summary
Hospital systems said uninsured patient volumes have risen sharply this year—by about 20% in some cases—driving more emergency-room visits, unpaid bills and charity care.
Executives tied the surge to reduced Affordable Care Act subsidies after Congress ended the more generous pandemic-era tax credits, leaving many consumers paying significantly more for 2026 coverage.
Government figures show Obamacare enrollment has dropped by about 3 million, or 13%, since the start of the year, and insurers expect further attrition.
Large nonprofit and for-profit chains said the shift is already cutting revenue by hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide, with some patients also delaying elective procedures such as knee replacements.