Kyle Clark, a journalist for Next, has highlighted concerns regarding a potential increase in individual-market premiums and coverage losses in Colorado if federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are discontinued. Clark made this statement on the social media platform X.
“NEW: The State of Colorado estimates that health insurance premiums on the individual market are about to spike by 100%+ and 7,500 Coloradans will lose coverage if Congress does not extend ACA subsidies,” said Clark.
According to Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s health exchange anticipates that the cessation of federal ACA subsidies would lead to significant premium increases and coverage losses. Their October 2025 analysis indicated that net premiums could rise substantially in 2026, with thousands losing financial aid if enhanced premium tax credits expire. This situation is described as the most significant affordability threat to Colorado’s individual market since 2014.
The Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker reports that proposed individual-market premiums for 2025 have risen by approximately 7 percent nationally. Colorado’s Division of Insurance warns that about 225,000 residents could face average net-premium increases of 101 percent in 2026 should federal subsidies end. This projection highlights the critical role extended ACA tax credits play in maintaining affordability.
A peer-reviewed study published in PMC in 2025 noted that Colorado’s benchmark silver-plan premiums increased by $295.84 from 2020 to 2025 following the rollout of the Colorado Option. The study found that subsidy and plan-design changes significantly affect both premiums and enrollment behavior.
Clark is an award-winning journalist and anchor of Next with Kyle Clark on 9NEWS (KUSA-TV) Denver. According to information from 9NEWS, he joined the station in 2007 and has received multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for his reporting on Colorado politics, health policy, and community issues through investigative and viewer-driven journalism.
