Congress is set to vote in December on whether to extend tax credits that help many Americans afford health insurance. In the meantime, surrounded by warnings about rising premiums, fewer Cowlitz County residents appear to be signing up for 2026 marketplace plans.

State officials report seeing a similar delay, even though Washington offers its own marketplace subsidies which could help those who lose federal tax credits.

Jim Coffee, CEO of the Cowlitz Family Health Center, said the clinic has had around 10 people come in to sign up for marketplace health insurance in the two weeks after enrollment opened on Nov. 1. During past open enrollment periods, it typically saw five to six per day, he said.

He guessed that the drop in interest was at least partially caused by concerns about the c

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