Single Mom Faces Steep ACA Premium Hike, Forced to Skip Medications

Natalie Richards' monthly health insurance premium jumped from $3 to $164, putting her medications out of reach.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Natalie Richards, a 37-year-old single mother in Palestine, Texas, is struggling to afford her health insurance after her monthly premium skyrocketed from $3 to $164 when enhanced ACA subsidies expired. Richards, who works as a dishwasher, can no longer afford her necessary medications and is worried about losing her mental health support, which she relies on to function in her daily life and maintain custody of her teenagers.

Why it matters

The expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies has left millions of Americans like Richards, who rely on the marketplace for health coverage, facing steep premium hikes that put basic medical care out of reach. This issue disproportionately impacts lower-income individuals, gig workers, and others without employer-sponsored insurance, threatening their access to essential medications and mental health services.

The details

Richards' monthly health insurance premium through the ACA marketplace jumped from $3 to $164 in January, a cost she cannot afford on her dishwasher's salary. She now fears losing her medical coverage altogether, which would jeopardize her ability to manage her ADHD and maintain custody of her teenage children. Without the ACA subsidies, Richards has no other affordable insurance options, as Texas has not expanded Medicaid eligibility.

  • Richards' premium increase took effect in January 2026.
  • The enhanced ACA subsidies that previously lowered Richards' premium expired on December 31, 2025.

The players

Natalie Richards

A 37-year-old single mother living in Palestine, Texas, who works as a dishwasher and relies on the ACA marketplace for her health insurance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's life or death. And beyond that, it's quality of life. I could be completely miserable and struggle for everything. Or, when I have my meds, I can look at problems, see the bigger picture, and figure it out.”

— Natalie Richards (Business Insider)

What’s next

Richards is actively searching for a new job that offers stable health insurance coverage, as she fears her current ACA plan will lapse in the coming months due to unpaid premiums.

The takeaway

The expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies has left many lower-income Americans like Natalie Richards facing impossible choices between affording basic necessities and accessing essential medical care, highlighting the need for continued efforts to ensure affordable healthcare coverage for all.