Urgently Extend ACA Premium Tax Credits to Prevent a Healthcare Crisis

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to take immediate action to pass a permanent extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits. This issue is critical for millions of Americans — including many in our region — who rely on these subsidies to afford health insurance. Allowing these credits to expire at the end of 2025 will have serious consequences. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), 4.2 million more people are projected to become uninsured by 2034 if the enhanced credits expire. Moreover, marketplace enrollees are expected to pay substantially more in premiums. Net premium payments (i.e. what enrollees pay after subsidies) are estimated to more than double on average — an increase of about 114% — if the enhanced credits are not renewed. Other analyses show that premiums (before subsidies) would also rise because many healthier people would drop coverage, worsening the risk pool. The CBO projects that gross benchmark premiums will be about 7.9% higher over the 2026–2034 period than they otherwise would be. In addition, insurers have already proposed rate increases for 2026 partly in anticipation of the credit expiration, compounding the effect on enrollees. These enhanced credits were originally passed in the American Rescue Plan Act (2021) and later extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act. Why this matters locally and morally • Many people whose income is just above traditional subsidy thresholds will be hit hardest — either losing their subsidy entirely or facing huge jumps in out-of-pocket premiums. • The financial shock could force families to drop coverage, delay needed care, or incur debt. • A healthier population is economically beneficial: people who are insured are more stable, productive, and less likely to delay care until costly emergencies. What needs to happen I respectfully ask that you: 1. Support or introduce legislation that makes the enhanced premium tax credits permanent (or at least extend them long term). 2. Work across the aisle to include this extension in any budget, reconciliation, or must-pass legislation. 3. Use your influence to emphasize that denying this extension will mean sharp increases in insurance costs and loss of coverage for millions. Healthcare is not a partisan issue — it’s a necessity. The stakes are too high to allow politics to stand in the way of access to affordable care. Please prioritize this in your legislative agenda — the health and financial security of your constituents depend on it. Thank you for your attention and leadership.