Consumer advocates blast Republicans’ failure to extend ACA tax credits
Denver- Today, the Republican-led U.S. Senate voted against a clean 3-year extension of the enhanced premium tax credits that have led to substantially improved affordability and increases in enrollment. Colorado’s Division of Insurance announced in October that consumers who buy their health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado will see average net premium increases of 101 percent, as rates have increased and these enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of 2025.
State legislators met for a special session in August, partly to address sky-high health insurance rates that are a direct result of Trump’s and the Congressional Republicans’ H.R.1. By expanding state premium assistance and the reinsurance programs, state legislators were able to lower proposed health insurance rates with HB25B-1006. This did not compensate for Congressional Republicans’ failure to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, which are crucial for affordability for tens of thousands of Coloradans.
Priya Telang, Communications Manager of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, released the following statement:
Half of Americans already struggle to afford health care, and Coloradans are seeing their premiums double on average because Congressional Republicans refuse to vote to protect American families. President Trump and Republicans are letting Americans down with their failure to extend the ACA tax credits that millions rely on.
We were able to soften the blow of the expiration of state assistance during the special legislative session, but roughly 75,000 Coloradans are expected to lose coverage as they are priced out. Ending the enhanced tax credits means increased health care costs for everyone. We can thank our Republicans in Congress for putting forth red herring proposals that don’t address affordability, that inflate health care costs, and that jeopardize the health of tens of thousands of Coloradans, all while ensuring billionaires and wealthy corporations get major tax breaks.
Colorado families are already having to choose between coverage, rent, or groceries. We need Congress to act now and pass a clean extension of the enhanced premium tax credits.
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, membership-based group advocating for equitable access to high-quality, affordable health care. CCHI serves Coloradans whose access to health care and financial security are compromised by structural barriers, affordability, poor benefits, or unfair business practices of the health care industry.
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