Trump’s Policies Are Driving Health Care Costs Through the Roof for Small Businesses

Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) is sounding the alarm on how President Trump and MAGA Republicans’ policies are fueling an affordability crisis in health care for America’s small businesses. According to fresh data from Co-Equal, annual health insurance premiums for small group employer-sponsored plans are skyrocketing across the country in 2026, with increases averaging at least $500 for single coverage and $1,000 for family coverage in nearly every state.

The root cause? Trump’s reckless elimination of enhanced premium tax credits last year, which had helped millions of small business owners access affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. Without these credits, small businesses that relied on them in 2025 now face an average premium hike of $3,150 in 2026. In Massachusetts alone, these costs have jumped by $1,450.

The numbers are staggering. The average annual premium for single coverage in 2026 is $9,333 nationwide, while family coverage averages $26,187. Massachusetts sees even steeper costs, with single coverage at $12,570 and family coverage soaring to $34,190—an 11 percent increase from 2025. States like Maine, Delaware, and New Jersey have seen premium hikes exceeding 16 percent.

Markey points directly to Trump’s broader economic mismanagement. The president’s tariff policies, which have been ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, and his costly war of choice on Iran have driven up prices across the board, including at the pump, putting further strain on small businesses and families. These policies are not abstract numbers—they translate into real pain for workers and entrepreneurs struggling to keep their heads above water.

In response, Markey is actively pushing legislation and advocacy efforts to reverse the damage. He recently introduced the Investing in the American Dream Act to restore Small Business Administration eligibility for legal permanent residents and has called on major retailers and shippers to refund tariffs to consumers and small businesses. He has also demanded transparency from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the economic fallout from Trump’s foreign policy blunders.

This crisis is a direct consequence of Trump’s refusal to extend critical health care subsidies and his broader war on Main Street. As premiums soar and costs pile up, small businesses face a grim choice: cut coverage, cut workers, or bear crushing expenses. Markey’s message is clear—Trump’s policies must end, and real relief must come to America’s small businesses, workers, and families before the health care affordability crisis becomes irreversible.