RICHMOND, VA — Governor Spanberger celebrated today that the $150 million Virginia Premium Savings program — created by the Governor and General Assembly — will help up to 200,000 Virginians save hundreds of dollars on average on their health insurance premiums through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace.
The new program was created to lower healthcare premiums by as much as 70 percent, but new estimates show that some Virginians will see their premiums decrease by more than 90 percent. Additionally, more than 50,000 Virginians could qualify for a $0 monthly premium because of these affordability investments.
At Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Norfolk, Governor Spanberger brought together advocates, local officials, and faith leaders to highlight the new savings and encourage Virginians to see if they qualify.
“For years, federal tax credits helped make coverage on our Marketplace much more affordable. These credits had been extended for years and years because they work,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “But last year, the President and his allies in Congress made the decision to let those credits expire — and people felt it. Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace lost nearly 100,000 enrollees in 2026 and the skyrocketing cost of monthly premiums was the biggest driver.”
Governor Spanberger continued, “At a time when Washington has turned its back on working families, the Commonwealth of Virginia is stepping up. Working with the General Assembly, we dedicated $150 million in this year’s budget to creating the Virginia Premium Savings program. This program was set up to help lower Marketplace health premiums by as much as 70 percent for qualifying Virginians. But what we are seeing right now is that some Virginians will actually see their premiums decrease by more than 90 percent — and as many as 200,000 total Virginians could see savings if they enroll.”
Virginians can start browsing plans now to see if they are eligible for the savings, based on their household income. Virginia’s Marketplace Open Enrollment period begins on November 1, 2026, and runs through January 29, 2027. In Norfolk, more than 55 percent of Virginians who access healthcare through Virginia’s marketplace will be eligible for savings.
“Communities are doing their part to keep Virginians covered — the state must do so as well,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa. “Here in the Commonwealth, Governor Spanberger has answered President Trump’s devastating cuts with a different set of choices focused on protecting healthcare and lowering costs for families. The Virginia Premium Savings program will help eligible people save money and get coverage.”
“Health insurance coverage is critical to basic human dignity and quality of life,” said Executive Director of Virginia’s Health Insurance Marketplace Keven Patchett. “As we move into Open Enrollment 2027, a couple of things I want to say: if you lost coverage this year because you couldn’t afford it — come back to the marketplace. Help is here. If you’re not sure whether or not you need health insurance coverage — you do. Now is the time to act for health insurance coverage that protects both your health and your financial security for you and your families.”
To browse options, compare 2027 plans, and see if you qualify for Virginia Premium Savings, Virginians can visit marketplace.virginia.gov.
Governor Spanberger also joined Celebrate Healthcare Founder Gaylene Kanoyton, Delegate Bonita Anthony, Delegate Jackie Glass, Delegate Jeion Ward, Delegate Phil Hernandez, Norfolk Commissioner Blythe Scott, Norfolk Councilman JP Paige, Norfolk Councilman Carlos Clanton, and Norfolk City Manager James Rogers to tour a community resource fair.
The community resource fair featured community partners, nonprofit organizations, and state agencies offering screenings, mammograms, flu shots, and support for Virginians needing help enrolling in health insurance.
