Higher health insurance premiums and expiring ACA subsidies are squeezing the Rio Grande Valley’s middle class
Rising health insurance premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs are prompting many Rio Grande Valley residents to reconsider or drop coverage as federal Affordable Care Act subsidies expire. Courtesy of | Unsplash | Online Marketing

Edinburg insurance broker Emanuel Pruneda watched a family with four children and two adults decline health insurance coverage after the monthly premium cost jumped 100% in just one year. 

It would have cost $1,200 per month for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, which was outside their budget. 

“They had to cancel their insurance,” Pruenda said, and instead planned to simply eat healthy, exercise, and “try not to get sick.”

About one-quarter of his clients decided not to renew Affordable Care Act plans for next year. 

Continue Reading

  • Unlimited news articles
  • Full access to all exclusive content

This article is available to subscribers only. Sign up to continue reading.


Daily Business Update

Get the latest business news delivered to your inbox every morning for free.

    Unlock Premium

    Support independent journalism.

    $9.95/month

    $1/week

    Limited time offer

    Enjoy Unlimited articals, exclusive newsletters, and deep insights.


    * Subscription renews December 31, 2025 at $9.95/mo.

    Subscribe Now

    New $8 million cold-storage facility coming to McAllen

    December 22, 2025 • 1 min read

    The Mega Produce project is expected to add 45,496 square feet of warehouse and office space in a key corridor... Read more »

    DHR to begin construction on $25M behavioral health hospital in Pharr

    December 15, 2025 • 2 min read

    The new hospital in Pharr is expected to have 100 beds and is funded with state grants.... Read more »