Millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance are facing another year of rising health costs. Georgia and Washington are already seeing some of the nation’s largest proposed increases. In WA, insurance companies have requested average premium hikes of more than 22% for 2027, shared Emily Brice, Fair Health Prices Washington co-founder and co-executive director of Northwest Health Law Advocates. Further, she shared, “If those rates are approved, the average silver plan for next year will cost $970 a month. How is any family supposed to afford that? The folks that I’m talking to every day are doing survival math. They’re forced to choose between affording their health coverage and other basic needs like food and rent.”

On August 4, 2026, Families USA hosted a virtual press call with consumer advocates from key states, including Washington. Speakers included Fair Health Prices WA co-founder, Emily Brice, who is also co-executive director at Northwest Health Law Advocates. The call spotlighted the rate increases likely to impact 2027 shoppers buying health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Washington state has the highest proposed premium rate increase thus far, averaging 22.4% for individual plans. If approved, 2027 would be the third year in a row that Washington consumers would face double-digit increases to health insurance costs.

A new health tracking poll was designed and analyzed by public opinion researchers at KFF. The survey was conducted June 25 – June 30, 2026, online and by telephone among a nationally representative sample of 1,321 U.S. adults in English and Spanish. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, health care costs remain the public’s top economic worry, and rank among the top health issues voters most want to hear candidates discuss this election cycle. majority of voters believe there is at least some fraud in government health programs and most say that addressing fraud would lead to reductions in federal spending overall, though fewer say it would lead to reductions in their own health care costs.

Legislators in at least six states this year have approved measures related to patient medical debt, according to a report on legislative policy trends released Wednesday by United States of Care, a nonpartisan think tank and Fair Health Prices coalition partner.

Many Americans are struggling to afford healthcare. A recent survey found that 46% of adults, regardless of their health care insurance status, reported struggling to pay for medical care last year. Under Washington’s new law, unpaid medical bills can’t be assigned to a debt collector for at least 120 days after the first billing statement in situations where the patient is a pedestrian or bicyclist who has been struck by a motor vehicle.

The Seattle Times reports on Washington Health Benefit Exchange’s 2026 enrollment report, which shows an unprecedented decline described as “a potential reversal of once-promising trends.” Monthly premiums spiked for many Washingtonians this year, and thousands have faced the difficult decision to forego coverage. Sam Hatzenbeler, of Fair Health Prices Washington and the Economic Opportunity Institute, asserts, “This is a crisis. Health is fundamental. Without coverage, people get sicker, lose work, lose housing, and lose hope.”

Declining health coverage should alarm everyone in Washington state, consumer health advocates warn. A new report from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (WAHBE) reveals that nearly 40,000 fewer Washingtonians have coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder in 2026 compared to last year – a whopping 13% drop.

“We have to hold our representatives accountable,” remarks Daphne Smith, co-executive director at Northwest Health Law Advocates and Spokane community member. “We cannot continue enabling the rich to get richer while the rest of us pay more and still struggle to get the care we need. We need lawmakers to take action because they hold power and lives are at stake.” The urgency for state action has been heightened as H.R.1 is being rolled out, which puts an additional 1 in 20 Washington residents at risk of losing health care.

A new national Gallup poll echoes what Fair Health Prices confirmed in a recent survey of Washingtonians: the cost of health care is a huge concern. In fact, it’s the #1 concern in the nation. Sam Hatzenbeler, legislative director at the Economic Opportunity Institute and Fair Health Prices coalition leader, spoke with Public News Service alongside State Senator Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, about the current health care crisis in Washington state, including the facts that:

• 1 in every 20 Washingtonians is at risk of losing health coverage due to federal changes.
• Premiums on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange marketplace increased by more than 20% this year alone — pushing rates for some families to more than $30,000 a year.
• Lawmakers were unable to pass any significant health care policies during the state’s 2026 legislative session, and WA does not have the funds it needs for current health care needs in the near term.
• Families are skipping or delaying medical treatment because of cost, including 4 in 10 cancer patients.
• People in WA can be charged up to 9% interest on medical debt, creating cascading problems for individuals and families.

KOMO News reported on the tens of thousands of Washingtonians who have cancelled or switched health coverage plans due to rising costs. People in Washington also face crushing interest rates on medical debt — up to 9% — and need lawmakers to provide near-term relief through legislation that lowers this spiraling burden. Emily Brice, Northwest Health Law Advocates Co-Executive Director and Fair Health Prices Washington coalition leader, confirms, “We’re seeing a growing healthcare affordability crisis in Washington and around the country.”

As people are forced to go with less health coverage, additional strain shifts onto underresourced safety net providers and community health centers, Brice notes, and it adds to crowding and overuse of costly care at hospital emergency departments. In sum: federal policy changes and state policy failures are hurting Washingtonians, depleting existing resources, and continuing to increase healthcare costs.

A new Seattle Times investigative series examines Seattle’s 911 system, which includes calls routed to an out-of-state nurse line provided by the city’s ambulance contractor. The call triage program aims to reduce strain on emergency services by directing patients to other options, like telemedicine and community clinics, when appropriate. However serious concerns have been raised about delays, patient safety, expectations, and accountability. Experts worry that 911 system utilization is likely to increase as patients lose health insurance due to federal policy changes.

“What happened to (Hogan) is a sobering reminder about what can happen when we believe those companies, without oversight and accountability,” said Emily Brice, co-executive director of Northwest Health Law Advocates, warning about cost-saving promises made by for-profit companies. “There’s no quick fix to the problems that are growing in our health care system — what we need is leadership from every level of government.”

Washington’s 2026 Legislative Session started January 12, and it presents lawmakers with options to lower health care costs for Washingtonians. There is clear bipartisan support for common-sense solutions that help Washingtonians go to the doctor without ending up in debt. The patient and consumer groups, business leaders, and labor organizations of Fair Health Prices Washington have identified actions that legislators can take to tackle high prices, slow corporate influence, improve transparency, and stop harsh medical debt practices. Read our fact sheet to learn about priority bills that can lower health care costs.