Amid rising healthcare costs, 70,000 Pennie customers have dropped their health insurance plans, fearing they can't afford the price hikes. Sasha Kinney, a Drexel Hill resident, is one of them. She worries about the $750 monthly cost of her Obamacare plan in 2026, but she'd rather go into debt than risk a medical emergency without her regular doctors. The issue stems from Congress' failure to extend a federal incentive program that capped health coverage costs at 8.5% of income. Kinney, a freelance worker and primary caregiver, isn't eligible for Medicaid. Her Pennie plan, a private health plan through Pennsylvania's Obamacare marketplace, has become unaffordable after its expiration. Without the program, her costs have skyrocketed by $250, and she's considering going into debt. Congress has yet to renew the tax credits that helped millions afford health insurance. President Trump's healthcare plan, announced on Thursday, aims to address rising costs by controlling drug prices and sending subsidies directly to consumers. However, details are sparse, and its effectiveness remains uncertain. People covered by Obamacare plans are racing against time, as the deadline to enroll for 2026 is January 31. Pennie's executive director, Devon Trolley, warns that people might stick with unaffordable plans, only to drop coverage later. Congress is considering tax credit extensions, which could help, but the program's expiration has already caused a significant drop in enrollment. In Pennsylvania, some areas are seeing price hikes three to four times higher than 2025, while others are more moderate. Factors like household size, age, and income influence costs. Healthy individuals might save by opting for plans with lower monthly costs and higher deductibles. Kinney, for instance, considered switching to a cheaper plan but feared skipping appointments and finding new providers.
