Bill and Shelly Gall say they'd be rich if it weren't for their medical bills .

The early retirees, who are on an insurance plan purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace , spent upwards of $20,000 on health-care expenses and insurance premiums in 2023 and in 2024, largely due to chronic health issues and emergency eye surgeries. The couple is on pace for a slightly smaller sum this year, if they're lucky, Bill said.

But next year, the Galls, who live in Meridian, Idaho, are bracing for their costs to grow significantly .

Based on figures available through Idaho's online insurance marketplace , Bill, 61, and Shelly, 60, expect to pay almost $1,700 in monthly health insurance premiums in 2026 if enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of this year as schedu

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