Covered California visited with the Sacramento community at Café Á Côté to emphasize its commitment to connecting all Californians to affordable health insurance during the current open-enrollment period, which ends Jan. 31. This is happening amid uncertainty and ongoing debate over Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that have delivered greater affordability and record enrollment across the nation.
Rep. Doris Matsui encouraged Californians to explore their options and sign up for or renew their coverage by next week’s deadline. Rep. Matsui has been a member of Congress since 2005 and voted to make the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act the law of the land in 2010.
“The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for millions of families in California, but the affordability people have relied on for years is under attack,” Matsui said. “Right now, President Trump and Senate Republicans are failing to act on the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, driving the largest premium increases Americans have seen in more than a decade. While I continue fighting in Congress to protect and extend these credits, Covered California remains indispensable — helping Californians find quality, affordable coverage during this final week of open enrollment. Health care is a right, and we have a responsibility to protect it.”
Rep. Matsui joined Covered California’s Executive Director Jessica Altman, California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson, community leaders and a Covered California enrollee to highlight the importance of having health insurance.
“As open enrollment draws to a close, Californians still have time to look out for themselves and those they love — but they need to act fast,” Altman said. “Affordable health plans are still out there for many of our enrollees, but with the federal changes, it is more important than ever that consumers take advantage of our marketplace and shop for a plan that is right for them.”
Despite this year’s unique challenges, 380,000 Californians are enrolled in a 2026 plan with a monthly premium of $10 or less per member, and more than 1.9 million Californians have found a plan that works for them for 2026. That includes more than 107,000 people across the Sacramento area.
“Increasing health care costs put coverage out of reach for thousands of Californians and others across the nation,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson said. “This threatens affordability and will force many individuals and families to lose their insurance altogether. California is stepping up to improve the affordability of the plans for those with the lowest incomes, but there is a long way to go to fill the massive gaps left by Congressional inaction.”
The state of California has put $190 million toward keeping monthly premiums reasonable for the most vulnerable in the state. While this funding doesn’t make up for the $2.5 billion lost with Enhanced Premium Tax Credits sunsetting, nearly 400,000 enrollees are already benefiting. Thousands more across the state are switching to lower-cost plans that help keep their families covered at a price they can afford.
Sacramento resident Terri Littleton, a small business owner and baker who has operated Terry Does Desserts full-time since 2011, shared how Covered California has allowed her to manage multiple ongoing health conditions while continuing to run her business. Littleton relies on ongoing treatment for her conditions and said having access to health insurance is essential to maintaining her health and independence.
“The experience Covered California has made in my life has been very impactful,” Littleton explained. “I have pre-existing conditions and would not be able to qualify for insurance otherwise, and through this, I’ve been able to manage my conditions and continue running my business. Without health insurance, I’d probably be fully disabled, walking with a cane. Covered California has literally saved my life.”
Littleton, 63, said that as she has gotten older, having reliable health coverage has become increasingly important as new and ongoing health challenges arise.
Anyone who needs insurance can use the Shop and Compare Tool on CoveredCA.com to explore plan options in their area and get estimates of coverage and monthly premiums and can sign up by Jan. 31 to have health coverage for the rest of 2026.