ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Nearly 1 million North Carolina residents could see their health insurance premiums rise next year if Congress doesn’t act to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which are set to expire wednesday. That means a possibly significant financial squeeze for families already grappling with rising healthcare costs.
Rising Costs and Expiring Credits Threaten Coverage
The expiration of federal subsidies, combined with increasing healthcare expenses, is poised to make health insurance less affordable for many North carolinians.
- Insurance policy costs under the Affordable Care Act are expected to increase in 2026.
- The expiration of premium tax credits and rising health care costs are major contributing factors.
- The Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry Medical Ministry offers free medical and dental care to those without insurance.
For three years, Dr. Daniel Frayne has directed the Asheville Buncombe Community christian Ministry Medical Ministry. The clinic provides free care to uninsured Buncombe County residents earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level.
This year, the clinic served approximately 3,200 patients seeking medical care, dental care, and medication-a considerable increase from previous years, according to Frayne. “we’ve been seeing a lot of that as well, a lot of folks with insurance who can’t get into care. And so we’re bridging that care, too,” he said.
The 2024 Buncombe County Community Health Assessment reports that 13% of county residents under 65 currently lack health insurance. Frayne anticipates this number will climb as the average rate for individual insurance policies in North Carolina is projected to increase by nearly 29% in the new year.
What happens when people can’t afford healthcare? “What we know is that people get into bankruptcy and are constantly in debt because of health care costs. So this is like,this is a cliff. I expect lots of people to forgo insurance,” Frayne said.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey stated in a press release that the price hikes are driven by increased healthcare costs and the impending expiration of federal subsidies. He encourages individuals to maintain coverage through employer-sponsored plans, private insurers, or student health plans.
Frayne noted that the clinic frequently diagnoses and treats patients with diabetes and high blood pressure. Consistent healthcare access is crucial for managing chronic diseases and preventing serious complications. “these are the things that we need to prevent, you know, so anybody who has these conditions, who is not seeing physicians, who is not being well managed, eventually they’re going to end up in the emergency room, they’re going to end up in the hospital,” he explained.
Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance coverage is underway and continues until Jan. 15.
The medical clinic welcomes walk-ins Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Monday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
