December 1, 2025
ACA enrollment kicks off without action on subsidies as millions face stiff increases
Will Cooper, Executive Vice President: ‘The open enrollment deadline for health insurance is not a barrier for Samaritan Ministries and REDEEM™ members. Christians can enroll in health care sharing anytime’
PEORIA, Ill. — Millions of Americans covered by ACA plans, also known as Obamacare, are staring down drastic price increases for 2026, according to health policy research group KFF.
Enrollment for ACA plans began on Nov. 1, with no movement in Congress on whether more generous subsidies for the coverage will last beyond the end of the year.
Rates are increasing by an average of 26% for a typical plan in the 30 states participating in the federal marketplace, and an average of 17% in states that run their own exchanges, according to KFF. If the enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of this year, currently subsidized enrollees will see their monthly premium payments increase by an average of 114%.
The enrollment period for purchasing health insurance policies through government exchanges ends this year on Dec. 15.
“The open enrollment deadline for health insurance is not a barrier for Samaritan Ministries and REDEEM™ members,” said Will Cooper, Executive Vice President. “Christians can enroll in health care sharing anytime. Samaritan and REDEEM™ members appreciate the flexibility, savings and the knowledge that they won’t be subsidizing unbiblical practices such as abortion.”
Congress technically has until Dec. 31 to act, but the beginning of open enrollment signals that the process is nearing the point of no return, experts say, according to Healthdive.com.
If Congress waits until the end of the year to extend the subsidies, 1.5 million more people will become uninsured next year compared with an earlier extension, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
“Samaritan Ministries and REDEEM™ offer an effective, God-honoring, direct-sharing approach to health care freedom,” Cooper said. “Members appreciate the prayer support, transparency, reasonable monthly shares and a choice of providers.”
What Samaritan Ministries members are saying:
Matthew and Julie from Tennessee wrote:
“I can’t say enough good about Samaritan and our experiences with this wonderful ministry. Even with all of the unknowns in health care and figuring out how to pay for big needs like this, I would rather be doing this than dealing with an insurance company.”
Jarrod and Kira from Idaho shared:
“Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your prayers. We have been astounded by how much it has meant to receive an avalanche of messages and checks this month from real brothers and sisters we didn’t realize we had. I was able to make a large payment at the hospital, and that was a big relief. The Lord has been so very good.”
Levi and Anna, who live in Missouri, said:
“This was our first experience with submitting a need and receiving shares and it was such a pleasure! The process was so painless and orderly and receiving encouraging mail was a treat! Thanks for all you do!”
Since its founding in 1994, Samaritan Ministries International (SMI) has helped more than a million Christians enjoy health care freedom by allowing them to choose medical providers and treatments at reasonable cost and without network restrictions while following a biblical pattern of caring for one another’s medical needs.
Accredited by the Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board, Samaritanhas an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and serves more than 250,000 members across more than 70,000 households.
Samaritan Ministries is not health insurance. Government exchange-based health insurance requires signups to occur only during open enrollment periods unless one qualifies for a special enrollment period due to a “life event” such as losing coverage, getting married, moving, or having a baby. In contrast, individuals can sign up with Samaritan Ministries at any time.
Samaritan Ministries members are exempt from insurance coverage mandates and penalties in those states that have them (i.e., California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.).
Samaritan Ministries health care sharing offers many advantages, including:
- No network restrictions. Samaritan members have the freedom of choice for their health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that works best for them.
- The unique direct-sharing approach does more than just help members financially; it also encourages a biblical community based on prayer. Due to member efforts, monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than health insurance premiums.
To understand how health care sharing is not insurance, and to understand the differences from insurance, prospective members are required to review Samaritan Ministries’ guidelines before joining Samaritan.
To learn more about Samaritan Ministries International, visit the Samaritanwebsite at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or X.
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