Lower costs and a strong initiative to help residents navigate their health insurance options have resulted in Covered California kicking off the open enrollment period on November 1, 2025, with an all-time high enrollment of nearly 2 million individuals. As of January 24, more than 1.9 million consumers had signed up for coverage for 2026, according to data from Covered California shared with local news outlets. It is important to note that while many of these enrollees are prior customers, new enrollment has seen a decline of 32% compared to the previous year.
In the Central Valley regions, specifically Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties, about 96,000 consumers have enrolled, while another 51,800 individuals in Fresno, Kings, and Madera counties have secured coverage. However, the region has also reported a significant 57% increase in cancellations among renewing consumers, with 11% of those renewing their plans opting not to continue, up from 9% last year.
The cancellation rate is particularly pronounced among middle-income consumers who have lost their financial assistance eligibility; this group has experienced a doubling of cancellations from 9% to 18%. In terms of costs, the average net monthly premium for active enrollees is approximately $136 in the Fresno, Kings, and Madera County region, compared to $339 for those who canceled. Meanwhile, the average net monthly premium per member in the Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare County region stands at $142 for active enrollees, with $256 for those who canceled.
Speakers at a recent event, including Cultiva La Salud Executive Director Genoveva Islas, Fresno Building Healthy Communities CEO Sandra Celedon, and District 21 Rep. Jim Costa, highlighted how the Affordable Care Act (ACA), legislation championed by Costa in 2010, has vastly improved healthcare access in the Central Valley. Costa noted that the ACA has positively impacted 1.5 million constituents across the five Congressional districts that predominantly cover the Valley.
Celedon emphasized the benefits of health insurance, stating that enrollees have better access to essential services such as wellness programs, annual screenings, and necessary medications to manage chronic illnesses. On the contrary, those without insurance often delay seeking care, which can lead to significant financial stress and higher medical costs, compounding issues related to chronic diseases.
The call to action from the speakers centers around the critical need for reliable healthcare access, supported by continued funding for premium assistance, to allow more individuals to maintain their coverage. Celedon remarked, “Healthy people are better able to support their families, attend work or school, engage in civic life, and live longer—because we all deserve to live well into old age, and that is only possible with proper care.” This sentiment captures a hopeful vision for the future of health care access in the Central Valley, emphasizing the importance of health insurance as a foundation for community well-being.