FLORIDA – Federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act expired Dec. 31 after Congress failed to pass an extension, a move that could leave nearly 1 million Floridians without affordable coverage and strain hospitals across the state, the Florida Hospital Association said Tuesday.
“With the expiration of the enhanced assistance, we’re concerned that nearly one million Floridians could lose access to really good health insurance coverage,” Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, said.
Lawmakers were unable to agree on how to proceed. Democrats sought a clean extension to maintain affordability for millions of Americans, while Republicans opposed extending the subsidies amid concerns about fraud, lawmakers and aides said.
The association said the lapse will likely drive up premiums and force people to weigh rent, food and utilities against health care costs — a choice that often leads to delayed care.
“When individuals don’t have the peace of mind of a health insurance card in their wallet, they often end up depending on the emergency room to get access often to basic primary care,” Mayhew said. “If they delay getting access to care because they don’t have health insurance, they end up coming to the ER because their situation is acute.”
Mayhew said the change will increase charity-care expenses for hospitals and add pressure to emergency departments already coping with long shifts and overcrowding.
“Our hospitals have been trying to evaluate what the impact will be on the demand for services in already overcrowded emergency department rooms,” she said.
The Florida Hospital Association urged residents who can’t afford marketplace plans to consider alternatives:
- Visit a federally qualified health center to see if sliding-scale care or assistance is available.
- Consult a local health insurance expert to explore remaining coverage options.
- Use emergency rooms only when necessary; hospitals are required to provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
How will you be affected by the subsidy expirations? Let us know below.
The association said navigating health insurance without the subsidies will be difficult. Even its president warned that finding a good, affordable plan without the expired assistance is unrealistic for many people.
News4JAX also reached out to Baptist Health for comment on the matter, and received the following response:
Baptist Health, including Wolfson Children’s Hospital, remains committed to caring for every patient who comes through our doors, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
While key provisions of the Affordable Care Act remain in place, the expiration of enhanced federal health insurance subsidies means some individuals may face higher premiums and could lose coverage. When people become uninsured or underinsured, hospitals often see increases in uncompensated care, particularly in emergency and essential services that must be provided regardless of a patient’s coverage.
Baptist Health will continue working with community partners, policymakers, and patients to connect individuals to available coverage options and to ensure access to care remains uninterrupted. Our focus remains on delivering high-quality, compassionate care while advocating for solutions that support patients, caregivers, and the long-term stability of our healthcare system.
Spokesperson for Baptist Health