As the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as ObamaCare, opens for enrollment this Saturday, there is concern that some Americans may face increased monthly premiums if current tax credits are not renewed by year’s end.

For individuals aged 60 and above earning $65,000 annually, premiums could rise by $920 a month by 2026, according to analysis by the health research organization KFF reported by The New York Times. If the tax credits lapse, monthly premiums would hit $1,380. However, if the credits persist, they would remain at $460 per month.

Currently, these tax credits provide substantial financial relief, offering $866 in assistance, which covers 65% of the monthly premiums for the silver plan.

Premium costs vary considerably based on factors such as geographical location, age, and income level.

In rural areas like Montana, Texas, and New Mexico, individuals over 60 with a $65,000 income could experience steeper premium hikes. In West Virginia, for example, costs could soar to $1,544 monthly without the tax credits, compared to just $460 with them, based on calculations from KFF’s online tool.

Those with lower incomes, currently receiving insurance at no cost, would also be affected. Individuals earning less than $27,000 could see their premiums rise to $66 monthly if subsidies are discontinued.

People earning $35,000 will see a $132 increase compared to the $86 they would spend should subsidies be extended into 2026.

The fight over not letting Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits expire has been central to the standoff over the government shutdown. Extending the subsidies would cost the federal government around $23 billion in 2026 and about $350 billion over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Had Congress extended tax credits on Sept. 30, premiums for the 2026 plan would be 2.4 percent lower than baseline projections, CBO Director Phillip Swagel wrote in a memorandum to congressional leaders on Sept. 18, 12 days before the shutdown.

“CBO estimates that an enactment date later than September 30 would result in lower costs to the federal government and smaller increases in 2026 enrollment than those presented here,” Swagel wrote.

Democrats want to negotiate on keeping tax credits rolling into next year. Republicans argue that that can happen once Democrats agree to funding the government.

But these negotiations are likely too late.

“I would strongly say if there’s going to be a big policy conversation about marketplace affordability, it’s too late to do that for 2026 coverage, and it should be done for 2027 coverage,” Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California, previously told The Hill.

The longer it takes for lawmakers to make changes to the ACA tax credits, “the more burdensome it will be to marketplaces and consumers, and the more messy it will be,” she said.

Almost 4 million fewer people will have marketplace plans in a decade should subsidies expire, according to the CBO.