Americans are feeling the strain already with less than three weeks to go until the expiration of COVID-era tax credits that have helped many people pay for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. For one Wisconsin couple, the loss of government-sponsored health subsidies in 2026 means choosing a lower-quality insurance plan with a higher deductible. For a Michigan family, it means going without insurance altogether. For a single mom in Nevada, the spiking costs will mean fewer Christmas gifts this year. She’s stretching her budget while waiting to see if Congress will act. But a legislative fix seems increasingly unlikely.