SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — Covered California has opened its 2026 open-enrollment period, giving millions of Californians the chance to sign up for health insurance despite uncertainty over key federal tax credits that have helped lower costs for families.

The 13th open-enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2026. This year’s campaign, “Connectors to Coverage,” highlights the free help available to consumers from more than 14,000 agents and community organizations statewide.

Since its launch in 2014, Covered California has connected more than 6 million people to health insurance. Nearly 2 million Californians are currently enrolled through the state’s marketplace, part of the 24 million Americans who receive coverage through similar exchanges nationwide.

“Despite uncertainty in Washington, our mission remains the same,” said Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman. “We are here to help Californians get comprehensive health insurance, including free preventive care, to keep themselves and their families healthy in 2026.”

Open enrollment allows residents to sign up for new plans, renew existing coverage, or shop for other options. Covered California offers\plans from 11 insurance companies, giving consumers access to doctors, hospitals, and specialists statewide. All plans include health benefits such as preventive care, maternity care, mental health services, and emergency coverage.

The future of enhanced premium tax credits, first introduced in 2021, remains unclear as Congress debates their renewal. Without federal action, the credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing significant premium increases in 2026.

If the enhanced tax credits expire, more than 1.7 million Californians who receive financial help through Covered California could see premiums rise by an average of 97%. About 160,000 middle-income residents could lose eligibility altogether, putting them at risk of losing coverage.

Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized efforts in Washington to roll back support for affordable health care. “While President Trump and Republicans work to strip away health coverage for millions of Americans, California continues to lead the nation in expanding access,” Newsom said.

To help offset potential federal cutbacks, California is investing in programs to protect low-income residents from steep premium hikes. For 2026, the state has allocated $190 million to provide state-funded tax credits for individuals earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level. This will keep monthly premiums stable for those earning up to $23,475 per year, or $48,225 for a family of four.

The state’s funding will also extend partial support to individuals earning up to $25,823, or $53,048 for a family of four. However, these measures cannot replace the nearly $2.5 billion in annual federal subsidies Californians currently receive.

Altman emphasized the importance of federal action, saying, “Even in this unpredictable environment, we are doing everything possible to ensure Californians can get connected to high-quality health insurance at the lowest price possible. That starts with Congress extending the enhanced premium tax credits.”

Despite record enrollment, about 1.2 million Californians remain uninsured but eligible for coverage. According to new data from the California Simulation of Insurance Markets model at UCLA, 508,000 of them qualify for Covered California subsidies, and 682,000 qualify for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal.

Many of the uninsured are older adults and Latinos, with 57% identifying as Latino and half between 45 and 64 years old. In Southern California alone, about 604,000 people remain uninsured but eligible for coverage.

Nearly 92% of Covered California enrollees receive financial help, and almost half can get coverage for $10 or less per month in 2026. About 17% will pay nothing for their health plans if they keep their current coverage.