It is framed as affordability reforms but, in practice, will drive premiums higher, reduce access to care, and increase rates of uninsurance and uncompensated care,” Ayesha Clarke said.

Going into the 2025-26 open enrollment period for people shopping for health insurance through GetCoveredNJ, the outlook was grim. Insurance regulators said the average premium would rise by 16%. And with Congress in December refusing to renew the money needed for tax credits that helped middle-income New Jerseyans dramatically reduce their premiums during the pandemic,