Local Families Face Doubled Premiums in 2026

For residents of Union, Franklin, and Fayette counties, the start of 2026 brings a localized version of the national healthcare affordability crisis. The expiration of federal enhanced tax credits has triggered significant premium increases across this three-county region in East-Central Indiana, where approximately 90 percent of marketplace enrollees previously benefited from the now-defunct subsidies.

The impact in these counties is shaped by the specific insurers licensed to operate in the region. For 2026, residents in Union, Franklin, and Fayette primarily have access to plans from Anthem, CareSource, and Coordinated Care (Ambetter). According to filings with the Indiana Department of Insurance, which can be viewed at https://www.in.gov/idoi/files/Rate-Watch-Document-2026-Final.pdf, these carriers have implemented average rate hikes exceeding 20 percent to account for the loss of federal support and rising medical trends.

In Connersville, Brookville, and Liberty, many families are seeing their monthly bills double or triple as the 8.5 percent income cap on premiums has disappeared. Research from the Urban Institute, available at https://www.urban.org/research/publication/48-million-people-will-lose-coverage-2026-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits, suggests that the surge in costs could lead to a localized spike in the uninsured rate as healthier individuals opt out of the market.

Local resources are available for those attempting to find lower-cost alternatives before the January 15 enrollment deadline. Residents of Franklin and Union counties can access unbiased assistance through LifeStream Services. These organizations offer free support in navigating the federal exchange at https://www.healthcare.gov/, which remains the only platform for Hoosiers to access any remaining standard tax credits.

As the community monitors the upcoming House vote in Washington, the immediate focus remains on the mid-January deadline. For those in Union, Franklin, and Fayette counties, updating income information and exploring “Bronze” tier plans may be the only available methods to mitigate the current price surge. Comprehensive lists of certified Indiana Navigators by county are maintained by the state at https://in.accessgov.com/idoi/Forms/Page/idoi/find-a-navigator.