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Where Obamacare enrollment is plummeting
Several states have experienced significant declines in Obamacare coverage following the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies. Ohio, Oklahoma, Arizona, South Carolina, and Minnesota have seen some of the most substantial losses. These coverage drops are affecting both Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning states. Ohio and Oklahoma, specifically, have witnessed nearly a third of their Obamacare enrollment disappear compared to the previous year. Other states like Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and Louisiana also reported considerable decreases in coverage. Nationally, Obamacare enrollment has decreased by approximately 3 million individuals, a reduction of about 13%. While one federal report cited fraudulent sign-ups as a cause, health policy experts attribute the decline to individuals failing to pay initial ACA premiums after the subsidies ended. The now-expired pandemic-era subsidies had disproportionately benefited red states, particularly those that did not expand Medicaid. This trend raises questions about how Republican candidates will address these coverage losses during the upcoming midterm elections.