When Health Insurance Costs More Than the Mortgage episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 6, 2026 · 4 MIN

When Health Insurance Costs More Than the Mortgage

from Mortgage Research Network Podcast · host Mortgage Research Network

Health insurance costs have reached a startling tipping point for some American families. In a growing number of cases, monthly health insurance premiums now exceed mortgage payments. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry examine how rising ACA premiums are forcing painful trade-offs for self-employed households and accelerating America’s K-shaped economic divide.In this episode you’ll learn:How extreme the cost gap has become: Some families now pay more each month for health insurance than for their mortgage.A real-world example: One West Virginia couple saw premiums jump from $255 to over $2,100 per month—nearly triple their mortgage payment.Who’s being hit hardest: Self-employed workers, small business owners, and early retirees without employer-sponsored coverage.Why income can work against you: Households earning just above the 400% federal poverty level cutoff can lose subsidies and face massive premium spikes.Where increases are most severe: In 15 states, ACA premiums jumped over 200% for certain groups—with increases exceeding 400% in states like West Virginia and Wyoming.The link to the K-shaped recovery: While some households remain insulated by employer coverage, others face declining financial stability.The real-life consequences: Families dropping coverage entirely, relocating for healthcare access, or changing careers solely for insurance.Read the full article: https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/rising-health-premiums-cost-some-homeowners-more-than-mortgage/

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 6, 2026

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When Health Insurance Costs More Than the Mortgage

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