Roughly 250,000 Washingtonians buy their health insurance through the Washington Health Plan Finder.

Federal subsidies that help people pay for that insurance ended this year, and insurance premiums are set to rise in 2027.

Multimedia journalist Venice Buhain spoke with officials about that change and other factors that could impact how many people enroll in health insurance next year.

For the next few months thousands of Washingtonians will be searching for their 2027 health care coverage on the Washington Health Plan Finder.

We asked Laura Kate Zaichkin of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange who would be affected.

It disproportionately impacted lower income folks, and it also disproportionately impacted coverage for younger people.

As we look to 2027, we are still worried about losses again, for lower income people, for younger people, and then again, for this lawfully present immigrant population that's losing their federal premium tax credits.

We also asked if there is still financial help available.

About 100,000 people who make less than $40,000 a year are potentially eligible for state premium assistance.

Washington state has had a public option program in place since 2021.

Cascade Select Plans, as they're called on Health Plan Finder, are available in 2027, in every county, and they're often the lowest premium plan that people can access.

For coverage starting January 1st, The deadline to enroll is December 31st.

For Cascade PBS, This is Venice Buhain.

Tomorrow, we'll tell you how these changes impact businesses that offer health insurance to their employees.

I'm Paris Jackson, thank you for watching The Newsfeed.