Help Keep Health Insurance Affordable

There is news from Washington, D.C.: on December 11th, the United States Senate began considering a bill that would extend the enhanced advance premium tax credits (eAPTCs) originally issued in 2021 to help lower costs for people who purchase their own health insurance. Unfortunately, the bill that would have extended these tax credits without any reforms did not get enough votes to pass. These tax credits expire at the end of 2025, and unless Congress extends them, millions of families will see their health insurance premiums rise exponentially.

These are small business owners, farmers, gig workers and people with serious and chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

Access to high quality, affordable health insurance is especially important for people with chronic diseases – like heart disease and stroke – and their families. It helps pay for crucial preventive screenings and other needs that come with battling these chronic conditions. If these tax credits are allowed to expire, millions of people might be forced to choose between their health insurance and other important needs like housing or healthy food.

The Senate didn’t meet the threshold needed to end debate on the issue and bring the bill that would extend these tax credits to a vote, and the House is still considering their healthcare proposals. Both the United States House of Representatives and Senate can still take action to keep health insurance costs from rising. Let your federal lawmakers know this issue is a priority. There is still time, but Congress needs to act soon!