The removal of enhanced federal subsidies could leave thousands of students and families struggling to afford health coverage in 2026.
Aniela Cabrera | Staff Writer
With the recent removal of enhanced subsidies, many FIU students and their families will face difficulties within the year as health insurance prices are expected to go up.
As the 2026 health care plan coverage begins, many students and their families are no longer eligible for health care insurance. If you are a tax dependent individual under the age of 26 with a parent who files as a tax dependent and makes over $62,000 annually, you will have to pay full price for insurance.
This is due to enhanced federal subsidies expiring at the end of 2025, with no extension by Congress in sight. It does not mean all subsidies are gone, simply that millions of Americans will be unable to access them.
Due to being students, many at FIU will be unable to pay the additional expenses or qualify for employer health plans because of part-time jobs. Thus, putting them at financial and health risk due to high costs for out-of-pocket visits and emergencies.
Obamacare, officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was a program created in 2010 by former President Barack Obama to combat inequality with health insurance. While there were many pros and cons to this law, such as better access and higher taxes, the young adult age group saw an increase in health insurance coverage during this time.
Students who may be working part-time typically make less than the minimum needed to qualify for subsidies or insurance in the first place.
For students, this may affect them as they no longer be able to afford the coverage insurance provides or the out-of-pocket prices. As out-of-state tuition increases (and affordable on-campus housing is taken away), students may struggle to pick between which basic necessity is the most valued.
FIU does have sponsored health insurance plans primarily for international and medical or health science students. Unfortunately, this is yet another issue students in the state of Florida must overcome.
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