Congress Failing to Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Will Cause Americans’ Health Care Costs to Skyrocket

09.30.2025 /Statement

Congress Failing to Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Will Cause Americans' Health Care Costs to Skyrocket

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA, released the following statement today as Congressional leaders face a potential government shutdown by the end of the day, and a looming massive spike in health insurance premiums for over 22 million Americans who buy coverage as individuals or families.

"Congress is running out of time to prevent skyrocketing health insurance premium spikes of hundreds or thousands of dollars for millions of Americans. With open enrollment starting in a few short weeks, Congress needs to act immediately to extend the existing enhanced premium tax credits that help over 22 million Americans afford coverage, or these Americans will see their premiums double or more, and 4 million will fall off coverage as a result. Congressional Republican leaders spent most of the year working to extend President Trump's tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest, yet rejected multiple attempts and amendments to extend these tax credits for working families to afford health care. These pending premium spikes will be the first of many consequences that will come from the historically large health care cuts passed by this Congress - but with this government funding bill, they have a chance to undo some of the damage that is coming to their constituents.

"President Trump and members of Congress promised to take action to lower costs, so they should want to prevent these premium spikes, which would be a direct disavowal of any affordability agenda. People have been complaining about the cost of chicken or eggs, but the average increase of over $700 far exceeds what most people pay for eggs in an entire year. With their premiums notices in the next few weeks, consumers are about to get a sticker shock of such size that millions of Americans will fall off coverage. Putting aside the politics of a shutdown, Congress now needs to pass a permanent extension of the enhanced tax credits, period."

Reporters seeking information or interviews about the impact of premium increases on specific populations, state-by-state fact sheets, or stories of those affected can contact Families USA's experts for comment and resources.