Around 67,000 West Virginians are enrolled in Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage, and many are seeing their monthly premiums jump with the end of enhanced tax credits, according to a new report.

The federal subsidies began in 2021 and were extended through the end of last year. There are ongoing efforts by Democrats to pass a three-year extension.

Vaishu Jawahar, director of policy programs for the advocacy group Protect Our Care, said adults between the ages of 50 and 64 who do not yet qualify for Medicaid are now paying enormous costs for health care.

"We've seen that premiums have skyrocketed to as much as $40,000 a year plus in premiums for older couples in West Virginia," Jawahar reported.

Nationwide, more than 1 million people have lost coverage. Older people, small business owners and farmers are the demographics most affected by the cuts. Some states have stepped up, using their own money to help people purchase health plans. Only New Mexico has decided to fully cover the cost of lost tax credits for its residents.

Jawahar pointed out the large number of people dropped off Affordable Care Act rolls will trigger mass job losses, with around 340,000 people expected to be out of work. Small business owners who rely on federal support may similarly cut staff.

"That job loss is going to have downstream effects on everyone else," Jawahar stressed. "Their ability to spend in their communities and support their families."

Rural hospitals also will feel the effects. According to Protect Our Care, the shift is going to drive up the cost of health care for everyone and financially burden rural hospitals, many of which are on the brink of closing.