Health insurance costs and energy assistance federal funding remain up in the air, despite President Donald Trump recently signing a continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of January.
Extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies was not included in the agreement.
Dana Kuhnline, program director for the economic research and advocacy coalition ReImagine Appalachia, said the uncertainty is affecting many people in Appalachian communities who currently cannot predict how much their health insurance will cost next year. She advised them to assume the subsidies won’t be extended.
"Do make sure that you're picking a plan that you can afford without the subsidies, just in case there is a concern there," Kuhnline advised. "Which is just a terrible place for folks to be if they're trying to plan their budgets for the year."
The Affordable Care Act open enrollment period ends Jan. 15, 2026. To have coverage on Jan. 1, 2026, people must enroll or change plans by the Dec. 15 deadline. Coverage for plans selected after the 15th will start in February.
The future of the roughly $4 billion federal Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is also uncertain. The program helps low-income people weatherize their homes as well as pay for their heating bills. Kuhnline pointed out many households in rural Appalachia use propane instead of an electric utility to heat their homes
"Propane or gas where they're getting those deliveries," Kuhnline observed. "They’re seeing that delay in the LIHEAP benefits because of the shutdown, as well as the Trump administration did fire most of the folks who work in the LIHEAP office at the federal level."
Some states have warned delays in payments could be up to a month or longer. Additional funds will not be allocated until Congress passes a final 2026 spending bill.