Senators Propose Bill to Extend ACA Tax Credits and Reduce Health Coverage Costs

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are leading a legislative effort to enhance the affordability and accessibility of health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Their proposed Restoring Patient Protections and Affordability Act aims to renew enhanced premium tax credits for three additional years, which would help to mitigate rising premiums in the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace. The bill also proposes to extend the 2026 open enrollment period, streamline administrative requirements to reduce paperwork burdens on families, and lower out-of-pocket costs. This legislative initiative responds to significant premium increases and policy changes that have made health coverage more costly and less accessible since previous administration adjustments. Over 20 million Americans, including small business owners, independent contractors, and those without employer-based insurance, rely on the ACA Marketplace for their health coverage. Past regulatory changes introduced barriers impacting coverage affordability and accessibility, and this bill seeks to reverse those trends to improve consumer options and stabilize the market. The legislation is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators and reflects ongoing efforts to address cost inflation and promote health insurance market stability through policy reform and regulatory adjustments.