Consumer Advocates Blast Skyrocketing Health Insurance Rates Caused by GOP’s HR1, Expiration of Tax Credits

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MEDIA RELEASE

Wed., July 22, 2026

Contact: Priya Telang, 313-820-2428, [email protected]

Katie Reinisch, 303-653-1009, [email protected]

Consumer Advocates Blast Proposed Skyrocketing Health Insurance Rates Caused by GOP’s Big Ugly Bill, Expiration of Tax Credits

Average proposed rates up 11%; direct result of Trump-led policies

DENVER – Colorado families already face high housing, food, and gas costs, and today, thanks to the Republican-led Congress and Trump administration, proposed health insurance rates have again jumped by over 10%. Colorado’s health insurance companies requested average premium increases of 11% statewide, as released by the Division of Insurance.

BACKGROUND

The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative blasted Republicans in Congress for voting to pass Trump’s Big Ugly Bill (HR1) and later terminating expanded ACA tax credits last year. All of Colorado’s Republicans in Congress voted in favor of H.R. 1, and only Representative Jeff Hurd voted in favor of temporarily extending the ACA tax credits in a last-ditch effort in January. All of these cuts to Medicaid and the ACA will lead to massive coverage losses in Colorado. When those tax credits expired in January, plan costs skyrocketed an average of 100%, even with state action to blunt the impact. Colorado has seen a 7% reduction in enrollments in the first part of 2026, and even with state help, many families are struggling to keep their insurance plans. Individuals, families, and small businesses will see higher rates again this year as a result of widespread market instability caused by the termination of the enhanced tax credits and other cuts ushered in by the Trump administration. Republicans chose to let tax credits expire so they could fund tax breaks for billionaires.

NEXT STEPS

The preliminary rates will require rigorous review and adjustment by the DOI and the carriers to ensure consumers are not taken advantage of by unfair or unjustified assumptions and high rates. The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative’s policy experts will analyze and advocate during the review process.

THE ROLE OF CONGRESS

“Rates are skyrocketing yet again,” said Priya Telang, communications manager of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “The Trump-led Republican Congress has slashed healthcare help for families and small businesses that need it so they can fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. This just adds to the affordability crisis Coloradans are facing and will only get worse when the Medicaid cuts from H.R. 1 start in full in January. This isn’t what Coloradans want or support, and the members of Congress that voted for this must be held accountable.”

THE ROLE OF INSURERS

“Insurance carriers aren’t doing enough to control costs and may be taking advantage of Republicans’ chaotic policy changes for the highest possible profit at individual consumers’ expense. Cigna, for example, which for unclear reasons is withdrawing from the individual market nationally for 2027, consistently maximized its profits with its rates in Colorado. Insurers must be held accountable if they are hiking their rates to maximize their profits,” continued Telang.

The standardized Colorado Option plans allow consumers to compare apples-to-apples plans across insurers with standardized benefits. In almost all counties, the Colorado Option plans have been cheaper than the average premiums for non-Colorado Option plans, as insurers are required to keep premiums lower on these plans. However, the market shocks created by Republicans are still affecting Colorado Option premiums.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Division of Insurance will make the preliminary premium filings from the insurance companies available for review, and any public comments must be received by 8/12/2026.

Q&A

Q: Who’s to blame for rate increases?

A: The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative blames both the Trump-led Republican Congress and insurers who may be taking advantage of market uncertainty. Federal tax credits, which had made healthcare affordable for many, expired last December because of Republicans in Congress. That hit Colorado families hard. Plan rates skyrocketed, and people are dropping their coverage or struggling even more to afford their insurance. Insurers, seeing insecurity in the market, have passed those costs on to consumers who are already struggling with affordability in this economy.

Q: Who does this affect?

A: Individuals, families, and small businesses who buy their insurance on the individual market. That’s about 260,000 Coloradans.

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, membership-based group advocating for equitable access to high-quality, affordable health care. CCHI ??serves Coloradans whose access to health care and financial security are compromised by structural barriers, affordability, poor benefits, or unfair business practices of the health care industry.

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