APHA Urges Congress to Extend ACA Premium Tax Credits Amid Coverage Risks

The American Public Health Association (APHA) has issued a statement following the U.S. Senate's failure to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. These tax credits have played a critical role in enabling over 22 million Americans to afford health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, effectively doubling access to comprehensive coverage. The expiration threatens to cause nearly 5 million individuals to lose their insurance and could result in significant premium increases for remaining enrollees. APHA urges bipartisan cooperation in Congress to quickly pass legislation extending these subsidies, emphasizing the urgency of this measure before year-end. The organization calls on the House of Representatives to pass a clean, three-year extension to provide stability and continuity in health coverage. The statement highlights concerns about Congressional actions earlier in the year, which included rejection of tax credit extensions and legislation that could weaken Medicaid and alter the ACA, potentially causing 16 million Americans to lose coverage. APHA critiques legislative proposals that fail to directly tackle rising insurance premium costs and stresses the need for targeted solutions to maintain affordability in the health insurance marketplace. APHA's position underscores the importance of federal policy decisions in ensuring access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance. The organization continues to advocate for policies that strengthen the ACA, reduce health care costs, and promote equitable health coverage for all Americans. This development has significant implications for payers, providers, and regulators involved in U.S. health insurance market stability.