Mainers brace for health insurance premium increases

AUGUSTA (WGME) — The government shutdown and fight over Obamacare subsidies is now in its fifth week, with no end in sight.

President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans want to end those subsidies. Should that happen, many of the 22 million Americans with Obamacare could be forced to drop their health care coverage.

“We are hearing from Mainers and know many people in Maine are worried about being able to afford coverage,” Ann Woloson with Consumers for Affordable Health Care said.

Insurance experts say of the 65,000 Mainers enrolled in affordable health coverage, three out of four of will see their premiums double if Congressional Republicans do not extend the Obamacare tax credits that come with it.

“Some people are looking at very steep premium increases,” Woloson said.

“Sixty-one-year-old, single household, with an income of $72,000. Their monthly premium would go from $325 to $1,195. That’s kind of scary,” Patty Lovell of Western Maine Community Action said.

“People at the lower income level will end up paying more than people at the higher income level,” Woloson said.

Trump was highly critical of Obamacare during a 60 Minutes interview but offered no plan to replace it.

“We can make it much less expensive for people and give them much better health care,” Trump said. “I’d be willing to work with Democrats on it. The problem is, they want to give money to prisoners, to drug dealers.”

“The reality of it is we won’t provide these small business owners and individuals tax breaks, but yet the administration is more than happy to provide tax breaks for billionaires and corporations,” Toby McGrath of Protect Our Care Maine said.

He and many others fear that if enough people drop health care coverage because they can no longer afford it, insured Mainers will see their premiums and health care costs go up.

“The reality is you, me, everyone will start paying for it. Because where these people start going if they don’t have health care is into the emergency rooms and our hospitals, which are already starting to close in Maine”, McGrath said.

Consumers for Affordable Health Care urges Mainers to look at the plans now and not wait for Congress to decide.

“We urge Mainers who need assistance in enrolling and coverage to reach out to set up an appointment and get the help that they need,” Lovell said.

“We anticipate some people may drop their coverage because they are worried they won’t be able to afford it,” Woloson said. “That’s why we’re here today, because there are still affordable plans available.”

Consumers for Affordable Health Care is also warning people to be cautious of alternatives to comprehensive coverage. They say non-marketplace plans are often unregulated and lack consumer protections, like coverage for preexisting conditions, and catastrophic plans have extremely high deductibles.

The government shutdown and fight over Obamacare subsidies is now in its fifth week, with no end in sight. (WGME)

As for the marketplace, you can choose any of four insurance companies with multiple plans to choose from.

Enrollment is open at CoverME.gov from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026.

Enroll in a plan by December 15, 2025 for coverage to start on January 1, 2026.

Enroll in a plan after December 15, 2025 but before January 15, 2026 for coverage to start on February 1, 2026.

Free help is available. Mainers who need in-person and remote assistance enrolling in coverage should feel free to reach out to set up an appointment to get the help they need by calling 1-855-806-7333.

Consumers for Affordable Health Care

• Maine’s Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program
• 1-800-965-7476 | [email protected]

Aroostook County Action Program

Maine Health Access to Care

• Cumberland, Franklin, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Waldo and York Counties
• 1-833-284-8816

Midcoast Maine Community Action

New Mainers Public Health Initiative

Penquis

• Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox Counties
• 1-877-930-7351

Waldo Community Action Partners

Western Maine Community Action

• Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin Counties
• 1-855-806-7333

If you have ACA marketplace coverage:

Update your contact information as soon as possible with CoverME.gov and your insurer.

Select a plan by December 15 to avoid being auto-enrolled into the same plan, which may no longer be the most affordable or best option for your family.

Look closely at letters from your carrier and review what the carrier is quoting for a monthly premium. Compare the information from your carrier to the information at CoverME.gov or reach out to an Enrollment Assister to make sure the information is accurate.

Return to the marketplace before January 15 to see if premiums have changed, in case the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits are extended after open enrollment begins.