AJC: “About 350,000 fewer Georgians are receiving health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges this year, a 27% decrease in enrollment just months after the expiration of subsidies that helped keep the cost of plans low.”

Atlanta, Ga. — Recent reporting in the AJC highlights just how many Georgians are feeling the consequences of Trump and Republicans’ refusal to renew the important health insurance tax credits that made health care more affordable, with 350,000 fewer Georgians receiving health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) this year.

According to the report, despite a 27% decrease in ACA health care enrollment in Georgia, GOP U.S. Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter said, “I don’t know that it’s cause for concern,” in fact, that “it might be cause for celebration…”

Sen. Ossoff has repeatedly called on Republicans to protect Georgians’ health care. Meanwhile, GOP U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Buddy Carter, Rep. Mike Collins, and Derek Dooley remain completely opposed to extending ACA credits. 

AJC: Georgians enrolled in ACA exchange plummet after subsidies expire
By Tia Mitchell and Caleb Groves | April 22, 2026

KEY EXCERPTS:

• About 350,000 fewer Georgians are receiving health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges this year, a 27% decrease in enrollment just months after the expiration of subsidies that helped keep the cost of plans low.
  
• Georgia U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were among the Democrats who fought to extend the subsidies, triggering the longest complete government shutdown in history last fall. They say they warned Republicans that, without the subsidies, Georgians would lose insurance. Now there is proof.
  
• “This should surprise no one,” Ossoff said. “This is exactly what they were warned would happen. People would lose their health insurance.” […]
  
• “I don’t know that it’s cause for concern,” said U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a St. Simons Island Republican who is running for Ossoff’s Senate seat. “It might be cause for celebration. It might be that they’re going on to plans that they should be on anyway.” […]
  
• During the debate on ending the government shutdown, Republicans in Congress insisted on passing government funding legislation that did not include language extending the COVID-era subsidies. They expired at the end of the year, causing many people who purchase insurance on the ACA exchanges to be quoted higher premiums for 2026 coverage. […]