Warner & Kaine: New Data Proves Average ACA Premium Costs are Way Up in Virginia

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement after new data from the Virginia health care marketplace showed that Virginians are facing huge increases in 2026 health care premiums because Republicans are blocking an extension of the enhanced tax credits that have helped keep coverage affordable:
“The numbers don’t lie. Preliminary cost estimates are showing what we’ve been warning about for months: huge spikes in premium costs for Virginians enrolled in health care through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. If Republicans continue to refuse to act on ACA tax credits, then many Americans will be forced to forgo health insurance next year. This will lead to more people turning to emergency rooms for preventive health care, further stress being placed on health care providers, and health care costs rising even more. Republicans must come to the table now to protect Americans’ health care and reopen the government.”
Preliminary cost estimates show Virginians areseeinghigher health care premiums due to the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of the year.
Income Range Relative to the Federal Poverty Line (FPL)
Number of Enrollees
Average Annual Household Income
2026 Average Monthly Gross Premium
2026 Average Monthly Net Premium
Average Monthly Net Premium Increase
Average Net Premium Increase
Between 100 percent and 138 percent or…Between $15,650 – $21,597 for an individual
&Between $32,150 – 44,367 for a family of four
52,603
$24,936
$941
$72
+ $35
+ 95 percent
Between 138 percent and 150 percent or…Between $21,597 – $23,475 for an individual
&Between $44,367 – $48,225 for a family of four
40,982
$30,149
$1,025
$117
+ $76
+ 185 percent
Between 150 percent and 200 percent or…Between $23,475 – $31,300 for an individual
&Between $48,225 – $64,300 for a family of four
69,203
$35,536
$1,055
$192
+ $112
+ 140 percent
Between 200 percent and 250 percent or…Between $31,300 – $39,125 for an individual
&Between $64,300 – $80,375 for a family of four
50,729
$49,341
$1,240
$327
+ $164
+ 101 percent
Between 250 percent and 300 percent or…Between $39,125 – $46,950 for an individual
&Between $80,375 – $96,450 for a family of four
30,591
$58,600
$1,245
$464
+ $193
+ 71 percent
Between 300 percent and 400 percent or…Between $46,950 – $62,600 for an individual
&Between $96,450 – $128,600 for a family of four
30,850
$73,176
$1,275
$631
+ $154
+ 32 percent
Over 400 percent or…Over $62,600 for an individual
&Over $128,600 for a family of four
27,624
$144,771
$1,388
$1,388
+ $526
+ 61 percent

The cost of ACA premiums also varies by locality. For example, an individual with an income between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL), making between $23,475 and $31,300 annually, will see the following increases:
Warner and Kaine have advocated for the extension of enhanced premium tax credits under the ACA, but Republicans have refused to extend them to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing and keep millions of Americans from losing their health insurance. Democrats have asked Republicans for months to address the expiration of the ACA tax credits, and have proposed legislation to extend them and reopen the government. However, Republicans have blocked the bill’s passage. Anew analysisshows that not extending the tax credits will have disastrous effects on Virginia.
With the government shut down,WarnerandKainecontinue to push to reopen the government and protect Americans’ health care. Earlier this month, the senatorssounded the alarmabout the rise in monthly health care costs for Virginians under the ACA. The effort toprevent health care premiums from skyrocketingcomes just months after President Donald Trump and congressional Republicansslashed Medicaidto offset the cost of billionaire tax cuts in the Republican budget law.
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