Michael Klinski
Michael Klinski
investigative reporter
michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org

No.

While Affordable Care Act premiums are going to rise in 2026, a post on X from a United States senator saying costs will increase 235% in South Dakota if tax credits expire is misleading.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, posted that premiums in red states would increase by as much as three times. 

The proposed rate increases for South Dakota insurers: Avera (8.9%), Sanford Health (5.2%) and Wellmark of South Dakota (1.2%). Nationally, the median proposed increase is 18%.

Prices could increase substantially more if the tax credits are not renewed in 2026. Those credits provided additional assistance to enrollees and expanded eligible income levels.

KFF estimates that a family of four making $90,000 will have premiums increase by 56%. Lower-income levels will see the biggest increase, from $0 to $1,607 for a family earning $45,000. Nationally, premiums would increase an average of 114%.

Sources

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, X post on ACA premiums

Peterson-KFF, Health System Tracker

KFF, ACA marketplace premium payments would more than double on average if enhanced premium tax credits expire


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This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they're published. Contact Michael Klinski at michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org.