When open enrollment for 2026 Affordable Care Act insurance plans began over the weekend, Congress still hadn’t decided whether to extend the premium tax credits President Joe Biden introduced in 2021. Those credits expire Dec. 31.
The GOP’s budget proposal — the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” passed in July — extends Trump-era tax breaks for the wealthy but lets the ACA subsidies lapse. That fight with Democrats has fueled the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Now, roughly 24 million Americans — including about 3 million Black Americans — who rely on ACA coverage are seeing their projected premiums soar. Many will pay twice as much as they did last year, and some could see their costs triple.
Community clinics, federally qualified health centers, and Medicaid navigators can help people find income-based billing, prescription discounts, telehealth options, and low-cost nonprofit care. State public health departments can also offer guidance.
Here are several national public and private organizations that help people access health care services or manage medical bills. The list below is organized alphabetically.
Private / Nonprofit Organizations & Clinics
The National Association of Community Health Centers has a directory of Federally Qualified Health Centers operating nationwide.
The NAFC represents free and charitable clinics and pharmacies in the U.S., serving uninsured and under-insured people. NAFCC has a “Find a Clinic” feature on its website to locate a free/low-cost clinic.
- The National Patient Advocate Foundation provides patient support services and helps individuals overcome barriers to accessing health care.
NPAF’s staff and volunteers work at the local, state, and national levels to promote access to affordable, quality health care for people with chronic, debilitating, or life-threatening illnesses. The organization’s staff manages appeals for people whose insurance may have denied payment, helps with making a co-pay, and provides other educational resources.
The PAN Foundation is a charitable patient assistance organization that provides financial support to patients with various types of diseases, including cancer.
Its financial assistance helps to cover out-of-pocket copays, insurance premiums, and transportation costs for eligible patients. The amount of aid offered and eligibility requirements vary by disease fund.
Planned Parenthood is still offering preventive services, including mental health services, vaccines, and maternal and postpartum care. The organization offers both telehealth and in-person appointments.
- Remote Area Medical
RAM operates free healthcare services using mobile pop-up clinics. - Undue Medical Debt
The organization doesn’t offer healthcare, but it can help individuals who need assistance paying for longstanding medical bills. Eligibility is for individuals whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. This equals just over $62,000 for a one-person household and roughly $128,000 for a family of four. Individuals whose medical debt exceeds 5% of their income are also eligible to apply.
