What’s Happening with Healthcare in Alabama?
Every Alabamian deserves quality, affordable health care they can rely on - no matter where they live, what they look like, or how much money they make.
However, when Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or HR 1, they cut funding for Medicaid and HealthCare.gov. Because of this, more Alabamians will lose their insurance and have a harder time getting care. Here is why:
Cuts to Medicaid Across the Country
HR 1 made over $900 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program nationwide.
Most of these cuts will hit states that expanded Medicaid, leaving millions of Americans without coverage.
What This Means in Alabama
Because Alabama already has strict rules to qualify for Medicaid, fewer Alabamians are expected to lose coverage directly from these cuts.
However, we are not in the clear. The federal agency that runs Medicaid (CMS) is adding more paperwork and strict rules for state agencies, which could still cause some Alabamians to lose coverage.
Higher Costs on HealthCare.gov
HR 1 did not renew extra tax credits for HealthCare.gov plans which helped people afford their health coverage. Instead, Congress let those savings expire and made insurance more expensive.
Nearly 95,000 Alabamians lost their health coverage in 2026 because they could no longer afford it.
People who stayed enrolled in Healthcare.gov plans are paying higher monthly bills and facing larger fees when they visit the doctor.
Why Having More Uninsured People is Bad for Alabama
Higher Costs for Everyone: When uninsured people get sick, they often have to go to the emergency room for care. Hospitals pass those unpaid bills on to local businesses and families, raising health care prices for everyone.
Hospitals Could Close: Rural hospitals in Alabama rely on insured patients to keep their doors open. When more people lose coverage, hospitals lose money and risk closing down.
Harder for Families to Stay Healthy: Without health insurance, families are forced to make impossible choices between buying groceries or buying necessary medicine. When families delay care because of high costs, simple illnesses turn into medical emergencies - leaving parents too sick to work and putting children’s health at serious risk.
How We Fix This
Congress should reverse the cuts they made in HR 1 and restore the extra tax credits on Healthcare.gov.
Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to low-income adults. Expanding Medicaid would open up health insurance to 155,000 Alabamians.
What you can do to help
Contact Congress: Tell Congress to restore the enhanced tax credits for Healthcare.gov plans.
Sign the petition: Tell the Alabama legislature to expand Medicaid in 2027 at coveralabama.org/petition