Americans enrolled in health insurance plans offered through the Affordable Care Act , commonly known as Obamacare, are expected to rise next year as the debate over extending enhanced subsidies is a flashpoint in the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Since its enactment, Obamacare has offered subsidies in the form of tax credits for health insurance premiums on plans purchased through the ACA's exchanges based on enrollees' income levels. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted enhanced premium tax credits in 2021 that were extended by Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act through the end of 2025 – with the policy now caught up in the shutdown debate.

About 24 million Americans are enrolled in health insurance plans and open enrollment for 2026 opens on Nov. 1, with ins

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