Californians are staring down a potential health care catastrophe that could leave nearly 2 million residents struggling to afford medical insurance. Governor Gavin Newsom is sounding the alarm about a looming crisis that threatens to dramatically increase health care costs across the state.

The potential price hike stems from a congressional standoff that could see health insurance premiums skyrocket by an average of 97 percent starting in January. This isn’t just a minor adjustment – for many families, it means the difference between having coverage and going uninsured.

The most vulnerable populations stand to be hit hardest. Low-income Californians could see monthly premiums jump from $97 to $182. Older residents aged 55-64 might face increases from $186 to $365 per month. Communities of color are particularly at risk, with Latino Californians potentially seeing premium increases of 122%.

Self-employed workers aren’t safe either. Nearly 500,000 independent workers could face an average monthly increase of $131. Middle-class families currently saving an average of $502 monthly through health insurance tax credits could see those savings completely vanish.

The root of the problem lies in a congressional impasse, with Republicans blocking a continuing resolution that would extend critical health insurance tax credits. Democrats have proposed funding to maintain current coverage levels, but negotiations have stalled.

Covered California, the state’s health care marketplace, has reached record enrollment this year with nearly 2 million participants. These potential premium increases threaten to reverse years of progress in reducing the state’s uninsured rate.

Governor Newsom is urgently calling for immediate congressional action to prevent what he describes as a “Big Beautiful Betrayal” of California’s residents. The next few months will be critical in determining whether millions of Californians can maintain their health care coverage.

As the situation develops, residents are advised to stay informed and contact their congressional representatives to express concerns about potential coverage losses.