Original article by Tim Sheehan, Health Care Reporting Fellow at the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative.
Published: Nov 22, 2025, 12:08 AM at www.turlockjournal.com.
Nearly 75,000 residents in Kern and Fresno counties who purchase health insurance through Covered California could face significantly higher premiums starting in 2026 due to the expiration of federal tax credits that help subsidize coverage costs.
The enhanced premium tax credits, which have made health insurance more affordable since 2021, are set to expire on December 31, 2025. Without congressional action to extend them, individuals and families across the Central Valley will see their monthly insurance premiums increase dramatically. Despite efforts by Democrats in Congress to extend the credits, President Donald Trump and Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have resisted those efforts.
Fresno County
In Fresno County, 43,590 Covered California members currently receive subsidized coverage with an average net monthly premium of just $80. Without the tax credits, average premiums would jump to $540 per month.
Kern County
In Kern County, 31,390 subsidized members currently pay an average of $86 per month, but could see premiums rise to an average of $558 without the credits.
“My biggest concern is that patients are not going to be able to afford Covered California… They’re not going to be able to qualify for Medi-Cal, so they’re going to be in limbo in between those options. They’re not going to get the coverage that they need, and they’re going to delay their care.” — Dr. Olga Meave, CEO of Clinica Sierra Vista.
Dr. Meave emphasized the broader economic impact of people losing coverage:
“It makes no sense to increase the cost of access to care, because we – I mean taxpayers – are going to pay a lot more. Because what could have cost $100 is going to cost thousands of dollars, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. One night in the hospital is probably more than the whole premium for a year.”
Jessica Altman, Executive Director of Covered California, explained the urgency of the situation during a recent visit to Fresno.
“Since 2021, the federal government has helped make monthly premiums cheaper for millions of Americans through what we call enhanced premium tax credits. Those enhancements are set to expire at the end of the year, and without congressional action, they will expire, and people will face higher costs.”
“I have already heard from retirees facing the highest premium increases in the state, from parents who are juggling medical bills and other bills in their life, from young adults considering going without insurance, and small business owners uncertain if they can continue to make it on their own with the higher cost of coverage,” Altman said.
Despite the prospect of higher costs, state officials are urging eligible residents to maintain their health insurance coverage during the open enrollment period, which runs through January 31.
Read the full story at the Turlock Journal
Read the most recent statement from Covered California.
Free Enrollment Help
Clinica Sierra Vista offers free enrollment assistance for Covered California and Medi-Cal through our dedicated team of Certified Enrollment Counselors. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your existing coverage, our team can help you:
- Understand your coverage options
- Navigate the enrollment process
- Determine eligibility for financial assistance
- Complete applications and renewals
- Find the best plan for your family’s needs
For assistance with enrollment, call at (661) 328-4245 in Kern County or (855) 867-7216 in Fresno County.
