Letter to Congress: Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

ASAM and more than 90 national and state medical societies issued a letter to Congressional leadership calling for legislation to extend the enhanced advance premium tax credits (APTCs). The credits have made health coverage more affordable for the over 24 million people who purchased plans through the Health Insurance Marketplaces. 

Millions of Americans will face a significant increase in insurance premiums, or lose coverage altogether, if Congress does not act. For example, the Congressional Budget Office projects that 4.2 million people will lose coverage if the APTCs are not extended. A 60-year-old couple earning $80,000 annually would see their insurance costs increase by about $17,500 each year. 

Even people who are not eligible for APTCs may experience higher premiums as a result of this expiration. 

"Extending the enhanced APTCs will continue to lower premiums across income levels, mitigate financial barriers to care, and sustain enrollment in the marketplaces," ASAM and the organizations write. "Allowing them to expire would reverse these gains, increase the uninsured rate, and raise uncompensated care costs for hospitals and physician practices nationwide."

The letter also urges Congress to act quickly so that physicians and patients have certainty heading into the 2026 open enrollment period. 

Read the full letter here.