Healthcare Changes in 2026: What You Need to Know

In 2026, Americans will see significant changes in healthcare policies. These changes started in 2025. They will affect how people get health insurance and how much they pay. Some changes will make healthcare more expensive. Others will limit who can get help paying for it. One big change is the end of extra help for people buying insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This help, called premium tax credits, made insurance cheaper for many. Without it, millions may struggle to afford coverage. Congress might try to extend these credits, but it's unlikely to pass. States that expanded Medicaid will keep their current funding. But new states won't get extra money to expand. This could leave many low-income Americans without coverage. Oklahoma, Missouri, South Dakota, and North Carolina recently expanded Medicaid. They did this to get the extra funding.People who got too much help paying for insurance may have to pay it back. Before, there was a limit on how much they had to repay. Now, they might have to pay back the full amount. This could be a big financial hit for some families. Non-citizens will also see changes. Fewer people will qualify for help paying for insurance. This includes refugees and those with temporary protected status. It also ends a rule that let some low-income non-citizens get help even if they couldn't get Medicaid. Medical students will face stricter limits on loans. This could make it harder for them to pay for school. The changes cap how much they can borrow each year and overall. Lastly, vaccine recommendations may change. The government is looking at giving fewer shots to kids. They might follow other countries' schedules, like Denmark's. The CDC's vaccine panel will also meet several times this year to discuss changes. These changes will have a big impact on many people. It's important to understand how they might affect you and your family.